August 19, 2014

Ilana picked at her breakfast that morning, not really having an appetite.  Most likely her subconscious was moping at losing Jihoo's company for a week, she thought.  Also, not having slept well, she was tired that morning.  She was still a little too full from dinner even if she and Jihoo hung out for another hour after getting home.  Unsettling dreams had also invaded her sleep; her recurring dream of looking for someone and not being able to find them or someone looking for her continued to plague her.  It was an odd feeling because it wasn't that she was afraid of the person, just afraid to be found.

Jihoo had driven them to the hospital and they were at their usual parting spot.  "Gwenchana?"  Jihoo asked Ilana.  He noticed she was unusually absent that morning.

 - "Deh, na had a hard time sleeping last night."

 - "Mmm, na thought Ilana looked tired, you're wearing more makeup than usual.  Na told you we shouldn't have stayed out so late."

Ilana rolled her eyes at him.  "Overprotective Oppa, Na slept, it just wasn't restful for some reason.  Gwenchana, I'll sleep solid tonight."

 - "Arraso, na won't see you until five most likely.  Na have meetings most of the morning and need to see patients in between."  He gave a quick tug to a strand of her hair before heading to his office.

 - "See ya," Ilana called out, shaking her head and then headed in the opposite direction to the hospital.  If she was already unsettled about Jihoo's leaving, she was really going to have to see JaeKyung about some serious distractions.

Jaejoong lived only a mile from the hospital.  It took him longer to get out the door and in his car in the morning, than the six-minute drive to the hospital.  It was now eight and he was running a little behind schedule.  He'd woken up about four A.M. to check on Isabel and found her fever higher than it had been earlier.  Abigaíl had given her Tylenol but the poor child just threw it up.  He gave her more Pedialyte and cold water.  Thankfully his parent’s room was on the third floor along with a small kitchen.  Abigaíl hadn't had to go far for the refrigerator.

He peeked his head into the room again; both his girls were still sleeping.  He checked Isabel's temperature first and while not normal at least it had gone down.  Perhaps she'd be able to hold food down later today.  Applying a fresh wet cloth to her forehead, he kissed her cheek.  Next, he walked to the other side and checked on Abigaíl.  Giving her a kiss on the forehead, he was glad she too wasn't running a fever.

Abigaíl whiffed a familiar scent of fruit and spices in her subconscious and gravitated towards it.  Jaejoong, having sat on the bed smoothed the hair that had escaped her ponytail.  He knew she'd had a rough night, so he didn't want to wake her up.  Still asleep, Abigail's hand came forward landing against Jaejoong's leg.  Sensing she made contact with something solid, Abigaíl opened her eyes only to find her hand on top of a leg and the owner of that leg, grinning down at her.  Gasping she withdrew her hand as if touching something hot.

 - "Morning," he bent to kiss his beautiful bride to be.  "I’m leaving for work.  Make sure you call me if you need anything.  Yoo and Esther are at your disposal."

 - "Oh, okay.  Did you get enough sleep?" Abigail still flustered at waking up with her fiancé staring down at her, couldn't think of anything else to say.

 - "Mmm, go back to sleep."

 - "Have a good day."

 - "Mmm," Jaejoong smoothed her hair again before getting up to leave.

He walked out the door quickly before visions of him and his wife in bed together took permanent hold in his brain.  "Less than six weeks, Jaejoong!  Lead me not into temptation," he prayed.

Abigaíl buried her face in the pillow.  "Awkward!"  She squealed for a few seconds before checking on her still sleeping daughter.

Mid-Morning

Ilana worked steadily for a few hours but she was getting a distracting headache.  The pain wasn't extreme but it was driving her crazy.  Looking at the clock, it was past her break time. "I'm taking a break!"  She called to ShiYoon whose seat was closer to her than Uee.

Figuring a little bit of sun would do her good, she headed to the rooftop.  Instead of hiding in her favorite spot, she laid her head down on a table in the sun.  After not sleeping well and the headache, she dozed off for a few minutes.

Jihoo had a million things to do before five but at the moment he needed to get ready for the director's meeting.  Figuring he had about twenty minutes, he decided to head to the garden to clear his head before he'd have to fill it again.  He was heading to his favorite corner when he spotted his admin sitting in full sun with her head down.  "Chincha?  This girl is going to get sunburnt."  He walked over and watched her sleep for a few minutes.  He wondered if he should be worried, but she seemed at peace.  "Yah, Agassi, you're getting burnt."  He felt the top of her head and face that were warmed by the sun shining down on her.  "Yah," he softly ran his index finger along her sun-reddened cheek.

Ilana felt a tickle on her face, thinking it was a stray hair she tried to smooth it out of the way only to encounter what her sleep-deprived brain thought was the cat’s paw.  Opening her eyes sleepily, half expecting to see Joy next to her she bolted upright when she saw Jihoo sitting next to her with a huge smile on his face.

 - "Jihoo-yah!  Are you taking lessons from Joy?"  The cat liked to paw at her face to wake her up.

 - "Anieyo, is Ilana going to be late?"

Ilana yawned and stretched her arms while looking at her phone, "Yes!  I have to go back."  Ilana stood and Jihoo did as well and walked to the elevator

 - "Chincha?  Ilana-yah didn't sleep well last night."

 - "Anieyo and I had a little bit of a headache.  I think it went away, I just needed to get away from the computer."

 - “Chincha?”  He did worry about her getting the flu.

 - “Oh…” The elevator arrived on the sixth floor.  "Arraso, overprotective Oppa, see you later," Ilana said as she walked out.

Thinking of her sweet smile, Jihoo remained on the elevator and got out on the first floor, for their meeting with the director.  "That was a nice diversion," he thought.

Ilana thought she would be energized by her power nap and shot of vitamin D but soon found out otherwise.  A headache was still bothering her to the point where she thought it was beginning to upset her stomach.  She toyed with the idea of taking a Motrin but didn't want to risk really getting an upset stomach.

Abigaíl was bored.  Isabel still ran a fever, thankfully, not as high as she had during the night.  At least she could be thankful that she had stopped vomiting.  Isabel held down a little juice and then later some oatmeal with bananas.  Since her daughter was napping again, she sent Jaejoong a text.

Abigaíl:  Still has fever of 101.9 (38.83c) but she kept the oatmeal down!  Praise God.  Going to take a bath and then nap too.

Jaejoong was in between patients and checked his phone to see Abigail's message.

Jaejoong:  Manseh!  Get some rest, I'll try and sneak over on my lunch.  I'll bring you a treat.

One more hour and it would be lunch, Jaejoong was already thinking of what his angel might like to eat.

Mid-Day

Ilana's headache didn't quit but made itself worse.  She had continued to plow through her work, regardless of the few errors she was making.  But thankfully noon had come.  "I've got a headache guys, I'm going to go eat," she applied pressure to the back of her neck as she spoke.

 - "Arraso, Uee Sunbae can go whenever she wants and I'll go when Ilana-ssi gets back."

 - "That sounds like a good plan," Uee, who was always hungry, said.

 - "See you in an hour, ShiYoon."  Ilana stopped at the employee medicine cabinet for a Motrin.  It couldn't be helped.  She had too much to do and was not about to miss her last evening with Jihoo.

Knowing she had to eat something once she took Motrin, Ilana ordered a cup of soup.  Really, she had no appetite; in fact the thought of eating or even drinking made her cringe.  It had only been a few minutes and she felt the medicine already making her queasy.  Holding her breath, she took a spoonful of soup and then a few more.  Instead of making things better, it was the exact opposite.  Leaving the soup on the table she headed for the nearest bathroom.

Forty-Five Minutes Later...

Ilana emerged from a different bathroom at the end of her lunch worse than she started.   She'd only gone out long enough to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste from the gift shop.  Now she had to make it through the rest of the day.  "Please?" She asked of no one in particular.

Ilana returned to her desk and called out to ShiYoon, "I'm back."

 - "Ilana-ssi must've taken the stairs, you're out of breath."

 - "Mmm," Ilana lied and buried her face in the monitor.

 - "Arraso, Uee Sunbae, I will be back soon, I'm out."

Jaejoong escaped the hospital to go home for lunch, stopping at Barbaric, an Italian Restaurant nearby.  Knowing Isabel wouldn't want to eat anything, he bought her a strawberry spumoni.  It was all-natural, low in sugar, delicious, and just what the Doctor ordered.  "Na wasseo (I'm home)!"  Jaejoong knocked on the bedroom door where Abigaíl and Isabel were quarantined, before going in.  Abigaíl was on her IPad and Isabel was coloring without enthusiasm on a bed tray.

 - "Hey," Abigaíl greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.  "You didn't have to come home."

Jaejoong set up the food on a small table in the room.  "Na wanted to have lunch with my two favorite yeoja."

 - "Appa-a," Isabel held out a hand, pleading for Jaejoong.

 - "How's nae jagiya," he kissed her forehead.  Isabel just groaned in response.  "Yah, at least you get to stay in Harabeoji and Halmoni's bed and Umma and Appa are taking good care of you."

 - "Esther and Mr. Yoo went out and bought an activity book, crayons, and a Frozen Monopoly Junior for her.  That was very nice of them but you didn't have to send them out of the way to buy things for Isabel.  If you create a monster, you'll have to learn to discipline her."  Abigaíl warned her future husband.

 - "Atch, na jagiya is not a monster, deh?"

 - "Deh, Appa," Isabel was in no mood for jokes and answered in the most forlorn voice she could muster.

 - "Appa brought you a treat," he gave her the spumoni and a spoon.

 - "Shiro," Isabel was afraid to eat so she didn't throw up again.

 - "Dehh, it's yummy.  Take some."  Jaejoong was ready to give her a spoonful.  In the end, she gave in to her Appa and took the spoonful.  Her eyes opened wide in evident pleasure.  "See, I told you.  Now, finish it but not too fast, arraso?"

 - "Arraso Appa," Isabel was now in a much better mood.

Leaving Isabel to her treat, the adults sat at the table. "I bought us a large antipasti to share and there's spumoni in the freezer for Isabel Umma too.  The fever hasn't let up yet?"

 - "No, it goes down for a little while and then goes right back up again."

 - "It should pass by tomorrow but she might start coughing, just keep her resting as much as possible."

 - "I'm definitely doing that."

 - "That's a smart TV," Jaejoong pointed to the screen above the fireplace.  "You can stream movies from Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon for her."

 - "We watched Frozen again on the IPad earlier."  Jaejoong looked at Isabel and smiled indulgently.  "This is really good, thank you."

 - "Have you caught up on your rest?"  She still looked tired.

 - "A little, I was able to shower and at least put a little makeup on." Abigaíl looked away, embarrassed.  He'd seen her without makeup, more than once, now.  "That made me feel better."

 - "Chuah.  Jagiya should be better for the weekend and we can get our engagement pictures done."

 - "She's ecstatic to wear the hanbok again.  I'm actually looking forward to wearing mine too."

 - "Everyone will be jealous; I have the two most beautiful yeoja in my life."  Jaejoong cupped her cheek and gave her a light but tender kiss.

Jaejoong lingered at home until the last second.   He was loving every minute of having the two in his home.   He wished time would fast forward to their wedding day but because he desired it so much, he would have to wait every long second.  Changing his clothes again, he headed back to the hospital.  At least he would be home on time tonight or so he thought.

Afternoon

Ilana made her way slowly back from the restroom, wondering why this happening today of all days.  Since her lunch hour, she'd been sick a few times, each time getting harder and harder to ignore the pain and focus on work.  This time, she thought for sure she'd have to give up.

SeungRyung was in her office, she had been helping Ilana and Abigaíl with their tasks.  Pulling up a file, she noticed it had already been updated but the task wasn't released.  Then at a second glance, the code was off by a number.  This was highly unusual because Ilana was almost 100% accurate.  "The poor girl must be stressed," she thought.  "I'd better go reassure her that I'm helping her."

Walking up to Ilana's seat, SeungRyung knew immediately something was wrong.  Ilana was slumped forward, elbows on her desk, head in her hands.  "Ilana dear?  Whatever is the matter?" SeungRyung placed a supportive hand on Ilana's back.

 - "Mianhae Unnie, I think I need to go home."  Ilana looked up to her boss full of regret but she couldn't focus any longer.

 - "Of course dear, you don't look well at all," SungRyung felt Ilana's face and it was very warm.  "Not you too?"

 - "I did everything to protect myself but I still got sick."  Ilana wasn't upset she was sick but sick at the same time Abigaíl was out and Jihoo leaving.  "I'm so sorry, I tried to last as long as I could but I keep making mistakes and the codes are getting jumbled in my brain.  If I look at the screen any longer...I think my head will burst open.”

 - "Of course dear, I completely understand.  Don't worry, go home and rest.  I'll pull Shancai from the other floor to help.  Is Jihoo running you home?"

 - "He's in meetings all day; I'll just call him once I get home.  He's got too much to do today to worry about me."

Somehow, SeungRyung knew Jihoo would drop everything if Ilana needed him.  "Ilana dear, go to urgent care at least, you're burning up."

ShiYoon & Uee noticed something happening at Ilana's desk.  "Gwenchana?"  Uee walked over.

 - "Ilana is not feeling well; we three need to hold down the fort until Abigaíl and Ilana return.  I'll get Shancai to help us."

 - "Mianhamnida," Ilana really hated to leave everyone hanging.

 - "Shoo, get home.  If I see Jihoo, I'll make sure to tell him you went home."

 - "Gomawo, Unnie."

Ilana grabbed her purse and headed for the stairs.  If she needed to throw up, at least the bathrooms were right by the stairwell.  This was exactly what happened.  She stopped on the second floor for a while until she felt herself with enough strength to continue.  When she finally arrived on the first floor, she was shaking.  Once outside everything began to spin.  There was no way she could keep walking, she scrambled to an unoccupied bench near the entrance and sat, with eyes closed, to recover.  Tempted to call Jihoo, she ended up sending him a feeler text, instead.  Perhaps by some miracle, he’d say the meeting was over.

Ilana:  Just thought I'd say hi!  =D How's your meeting?  

It was past three, they had agreed to meet at five but Ilana didn't think she could hold out that long.  She really wanted to be home before she told him she was sick.

Jihoo felt his phone vibrate and smiled at the text.  The meeting was going on its fourth hour.  They had a small break for lunch when it was brought in but that was all.  Once the meeting was over he'd have to meet quickly with the different managers on the Critical Care floor, then rounds and he was done.  He was free until he came back from Seoul.  He responded to his text.

Jihoo:  Long but interesting.  One more meeting after this and rounds.  Then we can have dinner.

Reading the text, the word 'dinner' sent Ilana running back to the bathroom.

Finally, their long meeting finished slightly ahead of schedule and Jihoo was able to see some of his patients before his next meeting.  Arriving on the Critical care floor, he would be meeting with the Doctors, the head nurses, and SeungRyung who was in charge of administration.  He needed to discuss a few points the director had made.  Jihoo casually passed near Ilana's desk and saw that her monitor was off.  He thought it strange but having a meeting to direct, shrugged it off.

SeungRyung was just coming out to join the others in the meeting room when she noticed Jihoo.  She ran to catch up to him.  "Dr. Jihoo!"

 - "Noona is excited about the meeting?"  He smiled at her.

 - "If it's important then yes, I am excited.  But what I wanted to ask was how Ilana was doing?"

Jihoo was puzzled and immediately nervous.  "Noona, what do you mean?"

 - "She didn't call you?  She went home, sick."

 - "Anieyo, she didn't.  I'll call her after the meeting and let you know."  Everyone was already waiting.  Jihoo knew they had work to do and didn't want to detain them any longer than he had to.

 - "Thank you, Jihoo, I would appreciate it," SeungRyung took her seat in the meeting room.

 - "Thank you for giving me your time...," Jihoo began his meetings as he always did.

After the meeting, Jaejoong came up to Jihoo.  "Na probably won't see you later, so I wanted to say I'll be praying for your safe trip."

Jihoo smiled at his colleague.  It would take getting used to the new Jaejoong but it was much better than when he talked about his latest conquest.  "Kansamnida," Jihoo inclined his head forward.  "How's Isabel?"

 - "The fever is still there but the vomiting finally stopped.  She was able to hold a little food down."

Jihoo didn't fail to notice his friend was all smiles at the mention of Isabel.  "Chuah.  I've gotta run, I'll be leaving first." Jihoo wanted to catch back up with SeungRyung who was just walking out the door.  "Noona," Jihoo caught up to her.  "Jeogiyo?"

 - "Yes, Jihoo, what can I do for you?"

 - "May I ask what time Ilana left?"

 - "Sometime after two."

 - "Kansamnida," he inclined his head.  Almost two hours.  Did she get home safely?  Is she alright?  Why didn't she call?  Then he realized the text he received was about an hour after that.  All these thoughts ran through his head.  He immediately rang her number.

Ilana had stayed in the bathroom for what seemed like an eternity.  She didn't understand why she couldn't fight this illness long enough to get home.  In the past, she could study and work full days with a high fever; she didn’t realize her temperature had already risen to 104 (40c).  By the time she threw up and cleaned herself up, she'd be shaking uncontrollably and then it would start all over again.  She had slowly made her way to the vending machine in the cafeteria for water.  A nurse from one of the other floors helped her and admonished her to go home.  The water never stayed down long enough for her to attempt her way home again.  The bathroom on the basement floor was unusually quiet.  It was tucked away and not in the main salon.  No one had come in the entire time Ilana had been there.  She now sat on the floor with her head resting in her arms on a chair that was conveniently found inside the stall.  If she had to get up again she thought for sure she would fall, it was easier just to sit on the floor.  That's where she was when her phone rang.  It was Jihoo, torn between needing his help and trying to do this on her own, she answered.

 - "Hey," her voice was raspy and tired from all the vomiting.

 - "Where are you?"  Jihoo didn't bother asking how she was; he could tell just by her voice, she wasn't well.

 - "In the bathroom between the café and the elevator."

 - "I'm coming."  He didn't tell her not to move; if she hadn't left it was because she couldn't.

Jihoo ran down the stairs to the bathroom Ilana had indicated.  Having wanted to clean up before Jihoo’s arrival, a wave of nausea put an end to that idea.  He walked in the door to see Ilana struggling to lift herself from the ground. He quickly grabbed her by the waist, startling her.

 - "Gwenchana, I'm here, now."  He could feel the heat radiating from her body, it was no wonder she trembled so severely.

She looked at him in confusion for a second.  Only for the duration of a heartbeat did she not recognize him.  "Jihoo-yah...," relieved she sagged against him, trying to regain some sort of balance.  She was exhausted.  "I'm so cold," not caring, she slid her arms around him, under his Dr.’s coat, trying to get warm.  "Can-can you take me home?"

He had seen her momentary confusion, even as she clung to him, he knew if he let go, she would fall down.  She had closed her eyes.  “Yah, Ilana-yah, don’t close your eyes.  Let me take a look at your face and your hands, deh?  Can you open your eyes for me?”  Tilting her chin up, she could barely open her eyes and they were red.  Even with his firm hold on her, she swayed from time to time.  Counting her heart rate in his head, it was elevated on top of her normal rapid pulse.  Resting her head back against his chest, he unburied a hand to study it.  The skin around the fingers was dry and crinkly.  She was dehydrated.

 - "We’ll go home after I take you to the ER."  Ilana half-opened her eyes again in despair but didn't argue.  That worried him more, than had she refused.  "Gwenchana, I'll take care of you.  Let me piggyback you or do you want to walk?"

Ilana shook her head, conscious enough of wearing a dress, she could try to walk.  "I-I think I can walk,” it took time for the words to break free from the haze of her brain.  “just-just don't let go, please?"  The entire reason she was still at the hospital was because she couldn't fathom going anywhere by herself.

 - "Deh," he held her firmly while they walked out of the bathroom, to the elevator, and then to the ER.  The lurch of the elevator made her feel sick again and everything started to spin.  Someone held the elevator door while Jihoo immediately engulfed her in his arms until the wave passed.  She was shaking even more violently than before.  Without a second thought, he picked her up in his arms.  All emotional and physical strength had left her.

Arriving at the ER entrance, he carried her right past the reception.

 - "Dr. Jihoo!  You can't just take her back there!"

 - "She's staff and she's my responsibility, I'll deal with Dr. SaengJo," he was already swiping his pass.  The doors opened and he walked right in with Ilana.  "I need a bed, now!"  Jihoo sent most of the nurses scurrying.  They had never seen him so aggressive.

 - "Bed 22 is open, Doctor."  A nurse had immediately checked to see what they had unoccupied.

 - "Thank you."  Jihoo immediately worked his way back to the room indicated and laid Ilana down.  "Yah,” he held her hand and gently called her, trying to bring her back from her semi-conscious state.  “Ilana-yah, I need you to come back to me, deh?”  Relieved to see her worried eyes on his, “Gwenchana,” he reassured her.  “We need to get your blood count to see how bad this virus has hit you, arraso?"

Ilana shook her head, everything was spinning again.  "I'm going to throw up again!"  Jihoo immediately handed her a bag and sat next to her, rubbing her back.  She was still throwing up water and bits of cracker that she had tried to nibble on.

 - "Ilana-yah, how long have you been like this?"  He changed the position of the bed so she could sit up.  A nurse walked in right after.

 - "I had a headache and I finally took a Motrin at lunch and that's when it started but it just got worse and worse until I couldn’t work.  I was too light headed and nauseous to go anywhere but the bathroom."  Jihoo sighed.

 - "I'll take her from here, Dr. Jihoo," the nurse said.

 - "She's dehydrated, you heard her say she's been vomiting since around noon and she's hemolytic, her pulse is already elevated and more so with the fever.  Dr. Jaejoong is her physician; I'll give him a call.  Ilana-yah, I'm just going to step out long enough to call Jaejoong and I'll be right back."  He gave her hand a squeeze and kissed her forehead, surprising the nurse.

 - "I'm just going to take your vitals and then I'll help you change into the hospital gown," Jihoo heard the nurse say when he was leaving.

Jihoo dialed Jaejoong's number.

 - "Yeobosayo?"  Jaejoong answered.

 - "Yah, Jaejoong, I need you in ER as soon as you can."

 - "I'm doing rounds but I can get down there in about thirty minutes to an hour. What's up?"

 - "It's Ilana, she's got the flu."

 - "Aaaish, how bad?"

 - "She hasn't stopped vomiting since lunchtime, her fever is extremely high and she's dehydrated.  Worst of all, she didn't fight me when I told her I'd be taking her to the ER."

 - "That's bad, arraso, get them to order her blood count and I'll be there as soon as I'm done.

 - "Komapta," Jihoo hung up the phone and was faced with an irritated Dr. SaengJo.

 - "What is Jihoo Uissa doing barging into my ER?"

 - "Jwosongmnida, had I another choice I wouldn't have.  I found my admin semi-conscious with severe flu symptoms and she's hemolytic on top of it.  So Uissa can see, it was an emergency."

 - "Deh, she's staff, Na understand.  In the future, it would be advisable to remain calm and not terrorize my staff."

 - "Jwosongmnida, it will not happen again."

 - "Who's her specialist?"

 - "Jaejoong Uissa; I've notified him and he'll be here soon."

The curtain parted not long after.  "I have her vitals, Doctor.  Between the fever of 104 (40c), vomiting, and dehydration she's very weak and disoriented.  Her tachycardia is also a concern with her resting heart rate is coming in at 100."

Jihoo, not waiting for Dr. SaengJo, stepped back into the room and took up his post holding Ilana's hand.  A little more coherent, she managed a weak smile.

SaengJo looked curiously at Jihoo before continuing.  "Dr. Jaejoong will want to see her bloodwork.  We can't risk her getting more dehydrated.  Get her an anti-nausea med and IV.  If we get her rehydrated than her fever should also decrease."  Instructions finished, the nurse went off to carry them out and he stepped inside the curtained room.  "Hello, Miss Ilana, I'm Dr. SaengJo, I hear you're not having a good day."

Ilana was in a fever and pain induced fog, making it hard for her to focus on the Doctor in front of her but she could swear it was Jihoo and yet Jihoo was next to her holding her hand.  "Jihoo-yah?"  She squeezed the hand holding hers.

 - "Gwenchana," he reached for her face with his free hand.  "Na need Ilana-yah to stay calm for Dr. SaengJo.  Jaejoong will be here soon and will let you know if you can go home, arraso?"  Ilana responded by nodding her head.  "She has a slight case of White Coat Syndrome (fear of Doctor's)."

 -"I understand, Miss Ilana, some Doctors can be intimidating.  I hope I'm not one of them."  SaengJo tried to reassure her.  "Jihoo Uissa, did you do an examination?"

 - "Just a visual; as soon as Na learned of her condition I brought her here."

 - "Miss Ilana, I'll leave you in Jihoo Uissa’s care.  He doesn't seem to frighten you very much.  Na hope you feel well soon."

 - "Thank you," Ilana said sleepily.  She was exhausted and longed for her bed and Joy.  She'd forgotten all about Jihoo leaving that night but after he terminated the call with Jaejoong, Jihoo had sent a text to JaeKyung, letting her know he would not be using the plane after all.

Jaejoong arrived about an hour later after calling Abigaíl and letting her know he'd be late.  Isabel was doing better and eating little bits of food at a time.  He'd tell her about Ilana after he'd reviewed the tests and came to a conclusion if he should send her home or not.  Ilana had fallen asleep once Jihoo did a quick examination and they had taken blood samples and attached her to the IV.  SaengJo, along with Jihoo and Jaejoong were in his office discussing Ilana's treatment options.

 - "She's already immune to a low grade antibiotic," Jaejoong said, reviewing Ilana's test results.  "Na think she can fight this on her own."

 - "With her anemia shouldn't she be monitored at the hospital?"  SaengJo asked.

 - "It'd be the easiest but Na think she's more of a risk here than at home."

 - "SaengJo Uissa, would we be able to make use of Hani-ssi for a few days?" Jihoo asked.  Ilana was comfortable with Hani and Hani was used to being pulled from her duties on the critical care floor and placed on special duty elsewhere.

 - "Deh, Na don't mind if you arrange that," SaengJo was used to his wife being put on special assignment.  He was proud of her.  He tried not to tell her too often lest she get comfortable and not make goals for herself.

 - "Kansamnida, SaengJo Uissa," Jihoo said.  "Na agree with Jaejoong, I don't want to risk her getting pneumonia again."

 - "Arraso, monitor her fever until it goes down to 102 and then get a second blood test.  Also, we’ll need Dr. David’s opinion in regards to her tachycardia.  If he agrees and her blood work comes in with no changes, Na don't have a problem releasing her as long as someone can check up on her.  Her fever will most likely go right back up later and any complications will return with it.  Gueron, I'll be leaving first, nae little girl is sick as well."

 - "Chukahae on your engagement, Jaejoong Uissa."  Dr. SaengJo said.  He couldn't believe the hospital's biggest playboy was getting married.

The three Doctor's stood and bowed to each other.  Jihoo and Jaejoong walked out of the office together, while Dr. SaengJo returned to his own work.  He paused to think that maybe there won't be just one wedding in the near future but two.  It seemed His wife has been holding out information on him.  "This is what I get for telling her I don't like gossip," he laughed.

 - "What time are you supposed to fly out tonight?"  Jaejoong asked as they walked to Ilana's room.

 - "I'm not, Na already canceled my flight.  Na can't Ilana while she’s sick."

 - "Eottoke?"

 - "Mullah, hokshina (perhaps), fly out in a few days, once the fever goes down."

 - "I'll check on Ilana before I leave, anything you need just call me, but she has her personal physician by her side, so I’m sure I won't be needed."

Jihoo smiled to himself.  He'd become her personal driver because she intrigued him, now he was her personal physician because he loved her and couldn't stand being without her.

Jaejoong had already told his fiancé why he was running late, so when he got home, she was waiting for him in the sitting room.  "How's Ilana?"  Abigaíl had been waiting to hear the front door.

 - "She had been dozing on and off but I managed to speak to her before I left.  Her fever was just about 104 (40c) but it's down to 103 (39.4) now."  He gave her a quick kiss.  "How's our jagiya?"

 - "She started coughing this afternoon; Tía Chiva is hanging out with her.  That's Sylvia's nickname in case you didn't know."

 - "No, I didn't.  Did Isabel give her that name?"

 - "Yes, she couldn't say, Sylvia, so she became Chiva."

Jaejoong laughed.  "How's her fever?"

 - "It's staying right around 101 (38.3), but she's been dozing a lot, so I think that's helped."

 - "Deh, the more she moves around, the more her temperature will climb."

 - "Are you hungry?"

Jaejoong smiled at his lovely fiancé who was already slipping into her role as a wife with ease.  "Saranghaeyo, you know that?"  He caressed her cheek before planting another kiss on her lips, this time more of a teasing kiss.

 - "What was that all about?"

 - "Anieyo.  I'll eat after checking on jagiya."

That Night

Ilana was discharged after ten P.M., and Jihoo went back to retrieve wallet and keys, as well as an IV kit and several bags of fluid.  It was ten thirty by the time they pulled into their garage.  Jihoo insisted on piggybacking Ilana to her apartment, despite wearing a dress.  Ilana was too tired to put up much of a fight.  They were now standing in front of her door.

 - "Arraso, punch in your keycode."   She had just changed the code not that long ago and she was so tired, she couldn't think straight.  Ilana punched in some numbers hoping they were right.  "That wasn't right, try again."

 - "I know it's Macknae's birthday since I changed it a few days ago."

 - "Gwenchana, you probably pressed the wrong key, just try again, slower this time."  Ilana still didn't get it right.

Jihoo saw her beginning to panic.  "Gwenchana, just relax, Na don’t want you getting worked up over this."  He held her against his chest and her hair, "you get one more try; let me punch it in for you.  Just tell me the numbers slowly."

Ilana nodded, "8...6...0...3...0...8."  Jihoo had just keyed in the last number when Ilana remember what she was doing wrong.  "Jihoo!  87!"

 - "It’s too late.”  Before she could panic, he placed a hand on her shoulder and took her face with the other.  She was going to burst into tears any second.  "Gwenchana, we have 24/7 security, remember?  I'll call from my place, arraso?”

 - "Mianhae, I'm so tired."

 - "Ara, ara," Jihoo wiped a tear that slid down her face.  She was trembling again and very pale.  "Your head is hurting again," he simply stated.  "Ilana needs to sit, kaja."  He held her waist firmly as he led her to his apartment.

Once in the apartment, he eased her into one of the leather chairs; they were his Grandfather's favorite.  "Let me turn the kettle on for tea and I'll call security in a few minutes."  Ilana just nodded.  Jihoo felt her forehead, wondering if her fever had gone up again in the short time she'd been off the IV.  "Let me get you a light blanket, deh?"  He a violin concerto very softly, just enough for some soothing noise.  He hoped it would help her relax.  She wasn't well at all and could see she was upset at herself on top of it.  This flu was making the healthiest of people miserable, how much more so Ilana, with her compromised immune system.

"You're going to feel like you’re dying before you feel even remotely better," Jaejoong had warned her.

Jihoo the kettle in the kitchen and taking a bowl with him he wet a washcloth in cold water from the bathroom and then pulled a quilt out of the closet.  "Arraso," he said getting back to his patient.  He put the cool washcloth on her forehead first and then tucked her under the quilt.  "Is that better?"

 - "Deh, my head is really starting to hurt again.  Gomawo."

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo, na want you to relax."  The sound of the kettle was heard coming from the kitchen.  "Ah, I'll go make you some tea and call security."  Ilana nodded reluctantly, she really just wanted Jihoo by her side.  She was feeling inexplicably nervous and needed his calming effect.  "Na promise, I'll be right back."

While Jihoo poured tea, he called security.  "Yes, this is Jihoo Yoon from 10J, my neighbor Ilana Contreras, in 10L, incorrectly entered her key code and is now locked out of her apartment."  Jihoo relayed her birthdate and then they needed to speak to her to confirm that she really was locked out and not someone trying to break into the apartment.  He went back into the living room, setting the tea on the table next to her and handing her the phone.  "They just want to confirm it's you."  He smiled at her, he thought she was ready to go back to sleep.  He hoped they came soon.

 - "This is Ilana Contreras?  Yes, the last four of my social security?"  She had to think for a second.  "6890...Thank you," she handed Jihoo back his phone.  "They'll be here in about twenty minutes to unlock the door."

 - "Here, drink some tea," Jihoo handed her the cup but her hands were trembling and was unable to keep the cup steady.  He took the cup and helped her to drink.

Citron tea had become the ultimate comfort drink for her since Jihoo had first introduced it to her but nothing tasted right at the moment.  "Jihoo-yah, I don't want any, it doesn't taste right."  She had brought her hands to the side of her aching head.

 - "Arraso, maybe in a little while.  Do you want to lie on the couch?  I'll massage your head for you?"  Ilana shook her head.  She really didn't think she could move.  Jihoo looked at her with concern but then had an idea.  He sat on the arm of the chair and pulled her to lean against him.  He began to work the knots at the back of her neck.  Again, she wasn't protesting.  He should be happy she was trusting him enough not to put up a fight but it also meant she had no fight left in her.  He felt her relax under his ministrations and decided he couldn't leave her alone tonight.  "Ilana-yah, Na will stay with you tonight until I'm sure you won't need me."  She didn't respond.  "Ilana-yah?"  He gently lifted her face and saw she had fallen back asleep.  He leaned her back against him, continuing his gentle massage.

Having completely forgotten about the building security, Jihoo was surprised when he heard his doorbell.  Leaning her back against the chair, he got up to see who could possibly be at the door so late at night.  "Oh yes, please come in for a second.  Miss Ilana is unwell and just fell asleep," he told security.  "I'll see if I can wake her up."  He walked to the chair and gently tapped her shoulder.  "Ilana-yah, security is here, you need to wake up so you can lie in your own bed."  There was no response.  He tried again, before pressing the wet cloth to her face.  This seemed to rouse her enough to try and avoid the cloth.  "Ilana-yah needs to wake up."

 - "Mmm?"  Her eyes fluttered for a second and then closed again.  She had no strength to keep them open.  In fact, if he were to check her temperature, he thought for sure the fever was starting to climb again.

 - "Agassi is sleeping in Harabeoji's room tonight, no arguments."  None came.  "I'm sorry, she has the flu and is sound asleep.  I'm not waking her up to change her key code."  He told the security team member who had been waiting patiently.  "The problem is she has a cat.  Will you let me in long enough to get it?"

 - "I shouldn't but...seeing that she's sick, I will."  The security worker had seen the two coming and going together several times.  He just assumed they were dating.  "Just the cat though," he had to take some precautions.

 - "Thank you," Jihoo bowed.  Taking a quick look back to make sure Ilana was still out, he followed the security guard.

August 20, 2014

Ilana's fever had been rising steadily all night and Jihoo hadn't left her side.  There was a small table in his Grandfather's room that he used to read or write on while he visited.  Jihoo had brought his laptop and set to work preparing a WebEx meeting with the board in Seoul.

He heard a sound coming from the bed again, "Mama!  Papi!  No me dejen sola (Don't leave me alone)!”  Jihoo immediately took up his post wiping her face and trying to rouse her from her dream.  Once he saw her eyes trying to open, he brought a cup of water to .  "Yah, drink."

Ilana was disoriented; her dreams meshed with reality.  It was only her subconscious that recognized Jihoo.  "Help," she uttered weakly.  She felt safe, not knowing why and reached out to him.

 - "Groemyo," he said, relieved she took most of the water from him.  Having vomited the first attempt, the subsequent attempts, so far, had left either her or him soaked.  She would refuse to drink and struggle against him.  He did what he could while she slept, to get the slightest sips of water down .  Jihoo held her for a little longer until she fell back to sleep.  Her skin was hot and dry without a hint of moisture.  He wiped her forehead with a cool damp towel, as well as her arms and hands.  She was still in the sleeveless dress she had worn to work the day before, just minus the cardigan.

His curiosity was increasing by leaps and bounds regarding her family life.  Why did her nightmares always center over her parents leaving her?  She had asked him for help, help for what?  Why did she fight him when he tried to get her to drink?  Oh, he had his own suppositions of what the answer to his questions was but his own bad habit of running away from his own problems didn't want to go where his thoughts had been leading him to all these months.  For now, he worked to bring her fever down with cold packs and a wet washcloth.  In the ER, they tried to help things along with Tylenol but it just made her sick to her stomach again.  They had agreed to let her fight this naturally but if her temperature stayed at 105 (40.6) for too much longer, then he had to make other choices regarding her treatment.

Dawn

Somewhere around five A.M., Jihoo left Ilana to change out the washcloth and ice packs, and refill the pitcher of water.  He'd have to call Hani soon, as well, to let her know Ilana was at his apartment, not her own.  He took a moment to thank God Ilana had locked herself out of her apartment.  The nightmares and delirium hadn't begun until about two A.M., by which time he might have decided to come home.  He sat on the couch, a little tired himself.  He hadn't slept in twenty-four hours, now.  Having pulled many all-nighters before, he was used to it but his mind was too busy trying to fit all the pieces of Ilana's puzzle, to rest.  This wasn't just a watch and wait situation.  As he sat on the couch, Joy came to him.  She had been worried about her Umma too, going back and forth from the bedroom as if trying to get Ilana to follow her.  "Ara Joy-ah, it's hard not to worry."  He scratched the kitten's ears.  His eyes closed involuntarily as she climbed on his lap and purred.  He knew Ilana had all the vaccines and her blood count was stable enough, if not perfect.  But none of that is infallible; God's design of the human body is so intricate that there are still mysteries for Doctors to solve.

 - "Mama!!  Papi!!  No!!  No se vayan (Don't go)!!  Mama!!  No me dejen, sola (Don’t leave me alone)!!!"

Jihoo didn't realize he'd dozed off, he heard yelling from the room.  He stood up on instinct and ran to her.  "Ilana-yah!"  He was alarmed to see her up out of bed, hands on the window, staring out.  He took her by the waist to lead her back to bed.

 - "No!  Don’t touch me!"  She was struggling against him again.

 - "Ilana-yah, it's me!"  She was using what strength she had to strike at him. He just held her tighter.  “It’s just me, I’m not letting you go, deh?”

 - "Mama!!  Papi!!  No me dejen (don't leave me)!”  She still struggled against him, trying to get back to the window.

 - "Ilana-yah!  Ilana-yah, look at me!"  He had to get her attention.  He had both hands on her face, regardless of her struggles.

 - "No!!  Let me go!!  Don't touch me!!!  Mama!!  Papa!!  The plane!!  Stop the plane!!"

 - "Ilana!!"  He spoke firmly and held her tightly, one hand around her back and the other holding her head to his chest.  In her panic, she was hyperventilating and he thought maybe her temperature had risen yet again.  "Yah, gwenchana," he spoke soothingly this time.  "No one can hurt you as long as I'm here, arraso?"  He continued speaking to her in a calm voice.  "Ilana-yah, tell me what's wrong.  Who's hurting you?"

Something in her recognized his voice, his scent.  He was warm when she was cold and she was so afraid, but he felt safe.  "Mmama...Ppapi..." she sobbed.

 - "It's me, Jihoo.  Gwenchana, you're safe.”  While still breathing heavily, at least she began to inhale.

That name, she recognized it.  The name was important to her, she knew.  "Help," she said despairingly.  "Mama!  Papi!"

 - "Tell me what's wrong, Ilana.  I need to know in order to help you."  Jihoo's own heart was beating almost as rapidly as hers.

 - "J-Jihoo..." she looked right into his eyes, even if she couldn't place how she knew him.  She knew he would help her.  "Help.  J-Jihoo...help, stop-stop the plane."

Jihoo's eyes opened wide, "Ilana, where's the plane?"

 - "I-I see it, make-make it stop, please!  Make it stop!"  She had escaped his hold on her and was facing the window again.  "Help...me," she sobbed.  "Make it...stop!"  The sun was just coming up but there was no airplane to be seen.

Jihoo swallowed, tears were forming in his eyes.  "Ilana, I don't see the plane.  Mianhae."

 - "Please!"  She struck at the window and Jihoo pulled her away.  "You...have to stop it!"

 - "I can't," he cried.  "Sarang, I can't.  I wish I could, jeongmal!"  She was trying to get away from him.

 - "Mama!!  Papi!!  Don't go!!  Stop the plane!  Somebody!  Please!!  Stop the plane!"  The first morning rays were coming through the window.  Ilana screamed.  Jihoo buried her face in his chest as she sobbed.  "Why?  Mama, Papi, I want to go too, why did you leave me?  Take me with you."  The erratic breathing began again.  "Why?"

Jihoo sobbed with her.  "Mollah...I don't know.  Jwosongmnida, Na would've stopped the plane if I could have.  Ilana has to believe me.  Na wish I could've stopped it for you."  Jihoo felt her slipping, her eyes were closing again.  She was already weak from the fever and the hyperventilating from her panic caused her to pass out.  He scooped her up and placed her back on the bed.  With shaking hands he took her temperature.  She'd been hovering right at 105 (40.6c) or just under four hours, now she was at the danger point, over 105.  "Jwosongmnida Ilana-yah, jwosongmnida."  Holding her unconscious form, he murmured his apology over and over while his tears melted into her hair.  He had to snap out of it, he had work to do before she went into convulsions.  The cold packs weren't working but he placed them back on her temporarily.  Taking a steadying breath, he called Hani and then Jaejoong.

Hani was completely shocked when Dr. Jihoo had called her to not only tend to Ilana but to come to his apartment and even gave her the code.  Thankfully she was dressed and waiting for his call.  She had all the things he had asked for; she had an extra set of pajamas and there was a 24 hour Walgreens where she ran to get a package of women's underwear.  Now she stepped into his apartment, it was much bigger than hers and SaengJo's.  They only had one bedroom.  "Uissa!"  Hani called out.  She thought it best to at least let him know she was here.

Jihoo had put Ilana in a tub of cool water, she was still not conscious.  He was glad he had the standard sunken tub replaced with a safety tub in the guest bathroom to make it more comfortable for his Grandfather.  It had been easy to just sit Ilana on the chair and then fill it up.  He heard Hani's arrival but wasn't about to leave Ilana unattended.  "Hani-ssi, first door on your right!"  He shouted.

 - "Omo!!"  Hani said, walking into the bathroom.  "What happened?"

 - "She has a fever of 105 and she's confused and hallucinating."

Hani saw that Ilana barely had her eyes opened and Dr. Jihoo was holding onto her hand.  "How long have you had her in the tub?"

 - "Only about ten minutes, I'm only waiting for her temperature to drop at least a point though I'd prefer two."  Hani nodded.  "There are IV bags in the refrigerator and the butterfly and IV line are next to my medical bag by the front door.  Can Hani-ssi get that set up for me in the bedroom next to us; you'll find an IV stand in the closet there."

 - "Deh Uissa, arraseo."

Thirty minutes later, Ilana's fever had lowered itself to Jihoo's satisfaction.  Draining the tub, he carried her out, soaking wet dress and all.  He hadn't bothered to remove her clothing.  Ilana was slightly coherent even if she didn't understand what was going on.  "Jihoo-yah...what's happening?"  She just knew Jihoo was there and she felt safe with him.

He laid her on the bed, wanting to act quickly before she got too cold.  "Gwenchana, Hani's going to help you change and hook you up to an IV, you're fever is too high."  He read the distress in her eyes again.  "I’m not going anywhere," he gave her hand a squeeze.

 - "Uissa," Hani interrupted.  "The bed is going to be soaking wet by the time I'm done."  Hani was already removing Ilana's wet dress under a blanket while Jihoo lifted her as necessary.

 - "Deh Hani-ssi, we'll move her to my room, when you're done."  Dry shirt in place, Hani moved quickly, cutting away Ilana's wet , slipping on a dry pair and adding the pajama shorts.  Ilana let herself sink back into oblivion; Jihoo had her hand and was humming a soft melody.  She couldn't fight the need to close her eyes.  Once she woke up, she would not remember everything that happened.  Jihoo carried her to his room and got her tucked in and Hani attached the IV.

He was torn; he needed badly some time to himself with his Violin but he also needed to stay with Ilana. Deciding he had Hani's help for the day and he really needed to get himself together for Ilana's sake.  "Hani-ssi, don't leave her side, juseyo.  Na...Have some things to take care of in my office."

Jihoo sank into his office chair and sobbed.  He cried for Ilana and for himself.

"Why...why didn’t God take me too?"  She had cried.

 - "Mollah, Ilana-ya...Mollah.  Maybe it was because He knew I would need you."  He looked at the picture of him and his parents.  The last one they had taken together.  "Umma...Abeoji...bogoshipo."  He had the F4 and SeoHyun to see him through that difficult time but what about her.  She talks about her brother and yet, how could he have let their cousin manipulate her like that?  And that fear in her eyes when he tried to hold her.

"Don't touch me!"  She had recoiled in fear and disgust.

 - "Lord, it's too hard!   I don't know if I can help her...what if I can't?"  He felt his strength dwindling, the task too monumental.  Truthfully, he was afraid.   The demons he thought he had conquered were back to torment him.  He laid his head in his hands and wept again.

"...My grace is sufficient for you.  For my strength is made perfect in weakness..."

He heard that still small voice and although the goosebumps formed on his arms, he was comforted.  "My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word," Jihoo's mouth automatically repeated those words.  SungRyung had given him that verse when he first came to the Critical Care unit and he never forgot it.  It gave him strength and comfort.  He knew, however suffocating his grief was, the Lord would give him the strength to keep going.  He as a mere human could not help Ilana but the spirit within him could.  A jolt ran through his body as he remembered what he told her at the park on her birthday.

 "Sometimes the right friend comes along and takes part of that pain onto themselves and you are left with less."

She didn't say a word when he told her about his parent’s accident.  Instead of adding to his own pain, she took it all onto herself.  "Paboya," he had tears running down once again.  "Paboya, you made yourself so sick that day," he said remembering that day in his home.  "Ilana is going to tell me the truth now.  No more hiding, no more getting yourself sick."

Jihoo picked up his phone and dialed...

 - "Yeobosayo," JunPyo answered.

 - "Tell me everything you know about Ilana."

JunPyo was shocked, Jihoo's monotone sounded different.  He was forcing himself to remain calm.  "Yah, are you sure?  Na thought you wanted Ilana to tell you herself?"

 - "She will, Ilana isn't leaving this apartment until she tells me everything.  Na have to know."

 - "Mwo?  She's there with you, now?  Na thought she was sick?"

 - "Deh, she had a problem getting into her apartment.  When they came to fix her lock, Ilana had fallen asleep in the chair.  Knowing she wasn't well, I wasn’t about to wake her up.  JunPyo it was divine intervention almost.  Her fever was and is still out of control.  She woke up early this morning in complete delirium.  She didn't even recognize me," he was no longer calm; he was agitated on the phone but now softened his speech.  "JunPyo, some part of her knew I wouldn't hurt her.  She asked me for help. JunPyo...did...her..." he paused and prayed for strength to get the words out.  "....did her parents die in a plane crash?"  All was quiet on the other line except for JunPyo's breathe intake.  "JunPyo, jaebal, tell me.  Nae have had my suspicions but not wanting to believe it could be true.  Not wanting her to have gone through what I did."  Fresh tears fall down Jihoo's face. "Jaebal," he whispered.

 - "Deh," JunPyo answered.  It was better his friend hear it from him than on the internet.

 - "How old...?"  He realized Ilana had asked him the same thing.

"How old...?"

Jihoo had been overcome with his own emotion to realize at the time that her voice shook as she asked him.

 - "Ten."

 - "Still too young," Jihoo thought.  "Who raised her and her brother?"  This was leading to the discovery of where her trust issues came from; other than from her cousin.

 - "Jihoo-ah, she's chaebol, her parents will appointed guardians. They managed a Puerto Rican boy band and one of the boys became like a brother to her.  He even went as far as..." JunPyo closed his eyes.  His friend was going to hit the roof.  He would if it had been JanDi.

 - "Mwo?  What aren't you saying?"

 - "Jihoo-yah...she's the face of his self-named foundation."

Jihoo's heart was beating rapidly against his chest.  "JunPyo, you have no problems stating your opinion or talking in general, wae?  What is the foundation for?"

 - "Aish!  Wae!  Wae did you have to call me?  WooBin is better at this than me."

 - "Gu JunPyo, tell me."  He spoke with anger.  He finally asked and his best friend wouldn't tell him.

JunPyo let out a moan as if in pain.  "Arraso, you wanted to know...children who have been sold into ion or ual slavery," JunPyo spoke at lightning speed.

Jihoo was quiet, all the suspicions he'd been denying all this time had just been proven right.  "How?  How?!  JunPyo, how could this happen?"  He had his fist clenched hard and slammed it down on the desk.

 - "Yah!  Mollah!  Ilana-ssi was kidnapped and when she was found, she was barely clothed and drugged outside of a hospital.  You...can get the full report from WooBin."

 - "Anieyo," his voice sounded rough.

 - "Eottoke?"

 - "Just talk to her and pray, what else can I do?  Na have only scratched the surface of her scars.  Na have to push deeper and what if I hurt her more?"

 - "Yah, Jihoo-yah, if anyone can do it, you can.  We're on board with this, she's the one for you, fight for her.  Just like...you did for JanDi."  Jihoo had always loved JanDi, but because she loved JunPyo, Jihoo made sure he played every card to get them together.

 - "Komapta.  Na don't know what day I'll be leaving yet.  See you then."

 - "See you."  JunPyo ended the call and leaned his head back against the chair.  Thankfully JanDi wasn't home yet.  She would want to kill someone if she found out and fly to New York to be with Jihoo and Ilana.  He went out to where InHei was playing.  "InHei-ah, give Appa a hug."

 - "Appa!"  InHei gave her Father an energetic hug.

 - "Appa will always protect you, arraso princess?"  He squeezed her tight, tears threatening to escape.

 - "Appa!!"  InHei giggled.  "Appa, too tight!"

 - "Mwo?  InHei-ah wants a tighter hug?"

 - "Andwaeyo!!"

 - "Mwo?"  JunPyo and InHei were in the middle of their mock squabble when Jandi had come in.

 - "Yah!  What are you two doing?"

 - "Anieyo InHei Umma."

 - "Appa started it!"

 - "Appa always starts it."

 - "Ahniya!"  JunPyo stood and pulled his wife in for a well-deserved kiss.

So many things crossed Jihoo's mind as he played the violin, each note was a tear sent to Heaven for Ilana and occasionally for himself.  He remembered the first time he brought her home, she had been so nervous and he was so angry at her by the time he walked into his door.  No wonder she sobbed the day they lost a patient on the floor.  No wonder she avoided talking about home and if she did, it was with a faraway look on her face.  No wonder she had that volatile reaction to him when he wanted to examine her last year and also the morning after the fourth of July outing.  There were so many 'no wonders', he couldn't count them all.

Mid-Day

Jihoo played his violin for several hours until he was somewhat at peace again.  It had been a long time since he played so intently for so long.  He was exhausted from lack of sleep and had intense pain in the back, neck, and shoulders from playing.  It was lunchtime; he had neglected Ilana and Hani all morning.  Leaving the office/music room he went to relieve Hani.

 - "Hani-ssi, how is she?"  Jihoo stepped inside of his room.

 - "She's still very weak Uissa, her pulse is still elevated.  But her fever has gone down a little.  It's now a manageable 103.5 (39.7)."

 - "Anymore hallucinations?"

 - "Anieyo, occasionally she cries out but I'll play music and it usually calms her down."

 - "Kansamnida, Hani-ssi, wae don't you take your time for lunch.  Na can take care of her."

 - "Arraso Uissa, if you're sure.  I've started a chart on her progress.  She's on the slower drip now.  Can I bring you something?"

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo, take your time.  I'll give you a call if there is a need."

Hani set off to the store, deciding she would make porridge for them.  She didn't think Dr. Jihoo had eaten and of course, Ilana hadn't either.

Jihoo rubbed Ilana's cold hands in between his and bent to kiss her forehead.  "I'm here now; we're going to get you through this.  The demons won't have power over you anymore."

 - "Jihoo-yah," Ilana whispered in her sleep.

 - "Deh, I'm here.  Mianhae, I had to leave you with Hani for a little while but I'm back now, arraso?"  Jihoo smoothed the escaping tendrils of Ilana's hair braid that Hani had made.  He traced a tear that had fallen down her cheek.

Three Hours Later

Hani returned struggling with the pot of chicken ginger juk.  "Uissa!  I'm back."

Hani received no reply, so she headed to the kitchen first and then to Dr. Jihoo's room.  "Uiss..."  Hani stopped and smiled.  Dr. Jihoo had fallen asleep on the bed, his hand on top of Ilana's and his fingers woven through hers.  Well, everyone could tell they were in love with each other.  They were just taking their sweet admitting it to each other.  She giggled to herself.  Once Jaejoong had decided he loved Abigaíl, he didn't waste any time telling her and making her his.  "Jihoo Uissa needs to pick up some tips from Jaejoong Uissa."  Hani set about taking Ilana's vitals again and quickly straightened the other room.  She took Ilana's dress with her and would drop it off at the Dry Cleaner below.  An hour after she had arrived, she left a note for Dr. Jihoo, telling him to call her when she was needed again.  Ilana needed sleep more than anything right now and the IV took care of some of her nutrients.  Hani left for her own apartment.

Joy, who had all but been forgotten, decided to make her presence known to Umma and Ajussi.  With a good pounce, she jumped to the bed from the side table, knocking over a glass as she went.  She purred loudly in Umma's ear and pawed at her face.  Getting no response, she did the same to Ajussi.

Ilana thought she heard something far away and felt Joy next to her.  Eyes heavy and her body too, she tried to open them.  Everything seemed to ache and didn’t have a clear memory of why that would be the case.  Trying to open her eyes again for, the room began to move, making her nauseated.  She closed her eyes again. Feeling something warm next to her, thinking it was the cat, she tried to reach for her.  Joy, seeing her Umma trying to wake up, decided to help by head-butting her hand.  Ilana moved her hand slowly, her arm felt it was made of led and something felt like it was poking her each time she tried to move.  "Joy-ah, are you poking me?"  She voiced in a whisper, that's as loud as she could speak. More confused than ever, Ilana tried to open her eyes again.  Her heart rate was increasing as fear set in.  If joy was on her right, what was the warmth on her left?  Once the room stopped moving, she tried moving her other hand but it was pinned.  She saw it was another hand, resting on top of hers, a masculine one at that.  She was again crippled in her own fear.  She couldn't move but try and untangle herself from the other hand.  "Please," she cried as loud as she could.  "Please, let me go."  She was sobbing outright and struggling for breath.  She couldn't see the arm that the hand belonged to was clothed as was she, nor that the arm belonged to Jihoo.

Jihoo felt something moving next to him before he heard the sobbing.  That immediately brought him to full alert.  Trying to ease her fear, Jihoo lifted Ilana to a sitting position and began to her back.

 - "No...Please..."  Ilana's eyes were closed as she cringed.

 - "Yah," Jihoo said soothingly.  "Gwenchana.  Mianhae, I dozed off.  Sarang, Gwenchana," he repositioned her so her head was leaning against his chest; he felt her shaking.  "Gwenchana, it's only me.  No one can hurt you, as long as I'm here.  Ilana-yah, breathe with me, arraso?"  She wasn't responding, still struggling with her fear.  "Yah, gwenchana, you're safe.  Chincha."  He her hair as he breathed deeply and slowly, praying she would follow his lead.

Ilana could feel the heart beating loudly under her head.  Still held tightly against the chest, she could feel the rise and fall of it.  Somehow the cold was lifting and being replaced by warmth.  She knew that scent, although it was very faint and the voice...?  She was struggling to put together the fragments in her mind.  "Jihoo-yah...p-please?"  What if this was really someone else?  What if it wasn't him?  What if in her fear, she was hoping it was him and it wasn't?

 - "Deh, pabo, who else would it be?"  He was relieved she was starting to come out of her terror.  Jihoo continued to rub her back in small circles, while he gripped her to his chest.

Ilana remained as she was for a few more seconds before slowly opening her eyes.  Still, very much shaking, she lifted her head slightly to look up at the person speaking to her.  "Jihoo-yah!"  It really was him!  "It is you!"  He smiled down at her tear-stained face.  She tried to reach his face, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming, but something held her back.  "Ow," it was the poking feeling in her arm again.  "What happened?  Where are we?"

 - "Jamkkanmanyo (just a second), let me remove that.  Your fever's much lower.  Na think you'll be fine, now."  He was letting go before she was ready.

 - "Jihoo-yah?"

He had already climbed off the bed.  Before he cleaned his hands and slipped on gloves he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

A few minutes later, he bandaged her arm and was checking her temperature and her pulse.  She still wore a worried expression on her face.  He reached out and smoothed her forehead with his thumb.  "There, that's better," he smiled.

Ilana looked at his eyes.  It same kind eyes she had always noticed but there was something different all of a sudden.

From the corner of his eye, Jihoo saw a note on the table.  Reading it, again he smiled at her.  "Hani-ssi left us food on the stove.  Stay put, Ilana is still very weak and you're not done with the flu yet.  It's only the first twenty-four hours.  I'll bring you some porridge.  Na don't think you've eaten since breakfast yesterday."  Ilana had the worried look again.  "Gwenchana!  I'll be right back."  He kissed her cheek and was off.

Ilana sank back against the pillows and tried to process everything.  Had his expression always been that way when he looked at her?  It was just so much more of everything, tender and caring and...loving...that word stuck in her thoughts.  Her emotions were out of control again and she felt the tears coming.  It had to be the fever making her crazy, she thought.  Closing her eyes again, she thought of Jihoo.  The first thing that struck her was his disheveled appearance.  Jihoo was always meticulous in his appearance.  His shirt was wrinkled, untucked, sleeves rolled up, hair a little out of order and the appearance of light facial hair.  Was there a scratch on his hand?

Joy came up to her and began asking for affection.  "Where did you come from?"  She asked the cat.  She felt her nerves rising again, where was she?  "Joy-ah, are we in Jihoo's apartment?"  She vaguely remembered being locked out of hers.  The room was done mostly in white, not unlike his room back home.  "What happened?"  Her head began to ache as she tried to understand why she was in Jihoo's bed and why was he so disheveled.  He said she'd had a fever.  "Oh no!!"  She rose from the bed before her brain had time to stop her.  She got as far as the middle of the room, with nothing to hold onto, when black dots attacked her, making the room spin circles around her.

Well, I poured myself into this chapter as best I could.  It was a long and arduous task that I thought for sure would never be done.  Jihoo knows everything and now he's got to get her to actually say it.

liSSie, not quite the corner yet but they're on their way.

Thank you to my support team, MidnightOnxy, AngelMano & MyNiGo.  I thought this chapter was going to be the death of me.

Finally, please continue to support Kim Hyun Joong.  He’s come a long way, unfortunately, we’re not done.  Hoping and praying the next trial will give us some conclusion but at least he’s not stopping and neither are we.

Crossing my fingers and hitting save.  I'll be waiting for your comments!