Page 28 of Harvey

“Look what you made me do!” Sinking on her knees, she started to scoop the pills up when the sharp jolt of pain sliced through her head like a scalpel. Dropping the pills, she let out a startled scream, sinking onto the floor and clutching her head.

“Hey.” Galvanized into action, Harvey rushed forward and hunkered in front of her. “What is it?”

“Nothing- “A whimper escaped her as the tremors raked her body.

“What the hell is it?” Grabbing her arms in alarm, he hauled her against him.

“Migraine,” she finally whispered, somehow finding solace in his arms and his chest. “It’s bad.”

“Let me get you- “He was completely caught off guard when she shoved him hard enough to escape his hold. Before he could react, she was bent over the toilet and retching her guts out.

Sliding forward, Harvey instinctively went behind her, pulling her slender body against his chest. His heart lurched slightly when she curled into him like a lost child.

“Better?” he asked softly.

“No.” She whispered hoarsely. Her fingers curled into his sweater hard enough to dig into his chest, and she trembled. “I need something- “Her cry was muffled by his chest as another pain lanced through her with the precision of a sharp object.

“I am getting Silas.” Scooping her into his arms, he took her back to her room when he decided his bed would do. When he started to put her down, she threw her arms around his neck and clung to him.

“Kendra, I need to get help. I don’t know what to do.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he held her on his lap, a helpless expression on his face.

“Pills and some tea, please.”

“All right. I will just put you down for a little bit so that I can see to those things.”

“Please don’t bother anyone else.” Sinking into the pillows, she curled up into a ball.

Rising, he stood there for a few seconds and stared at her before moving towards the bathroom to retrieve the pills she had spilled. Fetching a glass from his bar, he filled it with water and returned to the bedroom.

“Here.” Sliding a hand beneath her head, he eased her up gently and put the glass to her lips before giving her the pills. “Swallow. That’s it.” He put the glass away and laid her back down, ensuring she had. “How is it?”

“Still bad.” Her fingers were clutching the sheets, her lips tightened. “If I could get a cup of tea- “

“Of course.” He started to turn away but wondered if leaving her was a good idea.

“I will be fine.” She tried to assure him. “I just need something warm.”

Nodding, he turned and strode out of the room. It was late because he deliberately stayed away from the manor until his specific dinner was over and the family had retired for the night. He did not want to see or speak to anyone, and that was the way he decided to deal with this situation.

Not even a maid was stirring at this hour; he was sure the kitchen was closed. It was a room he had never frequented, and damned if he knew where anything was. Entering into the vast space with the ultra-modern appliances, he started rooting around until he found a packet of tea in the pantry.

He was searching for the kettle when he heard a sound inside the doorway. Spinning around, he blew his breath when he saw who it was.

“What are you doing?” Silas asked him in a stunned voice.

“What does it look like?” He growled. “I am making tea, if only I could find the damn kettle.”

“Here, let me.” Striding into the room, went unerringly to a shelf next to the stove. Filling it with water, he put it on and turned the knob. “You don’t drink tea.”

“I don’t.” Dragging his fingers through his loose hair, he turned to get a cup. “It’s er- it’s Kendra.”

“Is she ill?”

“Migraine. Terrible; as far as I can tell, I did not want to leave her alone. She was in a pain.”

“Go back to her. I will make the tea and bring it up. Go.” Silas urged.

Turning towards the doorway, he practically ran from the room and up the stairs. A cry of alarm escaped him when he saw her on the floor next to the bed.

---