Chapter 20

Bruce's POV

The next day...

 Liz woke up this morning sick as a dog. I told Tony she's taking the day off of work, no if, ands, or buts about it. He sighed and mumbled annoyingly to himself but didn't object to it. I think it might have been something she ate. She hasn't shown any symptoms of coming down with a cold over the past few days... she might have food poisoning. I really hope not. I went into work early today so I can get off early. I told Liz to text me updates throughout the day and/or if she needs anything at all. Knowing Liz though, she won't bother me unless she absolutely has to. That's the kind of person she is. 

     Work is slow today so I find myself torturing myself mentally, constantly dwelling on Liz. I try my best to focus on the paperwork Tony needs me to complete as well as running some observations on a new clinical trial I'm running, but I can't. Tony comes by once every hour to check on me because I think he's worried about me. I appreciate his concern but his constant presence is making me even more tense. I don't want to tell him that though because he's just being a good friend. 

    I get through the paperwork eventually and run a few more observations on the clinical trial, which by the way involves testing out various substances on rabbits (bless their adorable hearts but we needed test subjects) before leaving a few minutes earlier than I expected to. Liz has been staying at my place more than her own. I'm honestly thinking about asking her to move in, that is if it's okay with Tony. I'd run it by him before asking her of course, I'm not that much of a goof. 

    When I get home, I hear vomiting noises coming from my bathroom. My heart sinks and I stand outside of the bathroom door, waiting until Liz is done before I walk in. I figure Liz wants a bit of privacy when she lets it all out. I then quietly open the bathroom door. Her head jumps up from the toilet. She frowns at me and looks away in shame. "H-Hi Bruce. I'm afraid I have food poisoning. Tony may not have told you, but he sent a nurse to come check on me a couple of hours ago as a friendly favor. She told me that I can't work for at least a few days and I'm stuck with bed rest. I'm sorry babe. I feel like I'm imposing you and you're going to have to work twice as hard to get everything done."

    I smile sadly at her. "Don't worry about me. Just focus on getting better. I can go at it alone for a few days. Plus Tony is interested in the clinical trial I'm running and wants in. The three of us can run it together when it's complete. That'll give you an incentive to get better." She giggles and coughs a bit. "T-That sounds nice Bruce." Without another word, I help clean her up before lifting her up in my arms bridal style, carrying her back to bed. I gently tuck her in and help her get comfortable before climbing into bed myself. 

    "Bruce, am I keeping you from work? You usually don't get off for a couple of hours as do I." I put a finger over her mouth to silence her. "I've been given special permission to go in early and leave early until you're better. You happen to forget I have some authority miss. She playfully rolls her eyes and cuddles into me. She breathes heavily a few times before her body begins to relax and she drifts off to sleep. I watch her sleep for a little while before drifting off to sleep myself. 

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary