Chapter Nine: Unconvinced

AL was sitting on the Doctor’s bed, holding him, waiting for Medicus to arrive. “It’ll be okay,” she told him soothingly. “I’m here.” The Doctor coughed and groaned, and AL heard galloping in the distance. “He’s coming.”

The wall slid up via the pulley-system and Medicus entered. “You called.”

AL gestured to the near-comatose Doctor in her lap.

Medicus cleared his throat in the unicorn way and stepped closer, leaving his cart outside. “Well, let’s examine him, shall we?” He went to the Doctor and touched his horn to his forehead. The Doctor grunted weakly. “Hm,” said Medicus, lifting his head. “There’s a nasty strain of the flu going around the planet. I’m afraid he’s got it.”

AL found his highly unlikely. “Right.”

Medicus eyed her. “Beg pardon?”

The Doctor was drifting off, so AL spoke softly. “I know this was a ploy to stop me being pissed. I can’t believe you’d stoop to making me fuss over one of the guys. And you really made him sick, which is…”

“…let him…” said the Doctor weakly.

AL looked down and stroked his hair. “Hm?”

“I…” he said weakly, “I let him…”

“You let him make you sick?”

The Doctor gave a weak nod.

“We don’t like you being mad, Lisa,” said Medicus. “Adam’s real hurt that you cursed at him.”

AL sighed. “But she made me mad.”

“…we know…but…” the Doctor coughed.

“Can’t take it out on the people you love, you know,” said Medicus. “And, frankly, turning you into a pile of mush was the only way they could figure it out.”

AL sighed again. “All right, fine. But if 5 pisses me off again, I’m gonna do something not nice. I don’t know what, but something.” She nodded determinately.

“…fair enough…” said the Doctor weakly.

“And I’ll apologize to Adam. In the meantime, get him cured.” She stood up, but the Doctor caught her hand and whimpered pitifully. She patted his hand. “I’ll be back.” She kissed his forehead, squeezed his hand, and left the room.

“Well,” said Medicus, “that worked rather well, don’t you think?”

The only response the stallion got was a sneeze.

End chapter nine.

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