That Time I Wrote Cabin Pressure Fan Fiction

[Because everyone needs some incredibly sappy Cabin Pressure fan fiction in their life. Especially when it involved Douglas being cute and in love. Also because everyone and their mother is sick right now, so apparently I've got taking care of the sick on my mind.]

“DOUGLAS!”

Douglas was startled back into reality by the sound of Martin’s shrill voice.

“What? Oh. Yes. All clear, captain.”

“Douglas, what’s wrong with you today? That was the third time saying your name.”

“No it wasn’t,” Douglas snarled. “It was the first time you shouted my name.”

“Really Douglas, even for you this is out of character.”

Douglas sighed heavily. “I’m sorry Martin. I didn’t mean to snap like that.”

The two men sat quietly in the cockpit, Martin hesitant to press the matter and Douglas too lost in his own thoughts.

“It’s just…” Douglas finally started after an awkward silence, then stopped and sighed again.

“Maybe if you told me I could try to help,” Martin said carefully. “And don’t laugh. Maybe I really could.”

Douglas looked out at the night skyline and was silent for another moment. Martin sucked in his breath; ‘Something must really be troubling him for not even making a jab at me,’ Martin thought.

“Maggie’s ill, and I don’t know how to do it,” Douglas finally blurted out.

“Do what?”

“You know, make her better. I’ve taken her to see a doctor and he told me it was some kind of severe flu and to give her medication when the fever comes on.”

Martin smiled in spite of himself; the fact that Douglas was so concerned about her was touching.

“What?” Douglas demanded, seeing the look on Martin’s face.

“Nothing, I’m sorry,” Martin said quickly. “It’s just, well, I’ve never seen you like this.”

“Like what?”

“This. So worried and sincere about someone. It’s, well it’s sweet really.”

“I just don’t like seeing her suffer. I wanted to stay home with her, but she insisted I come to work.”

The two men fell silent again as Douglas stared out at the skyline once more.

“Lisa picked up something from one of her kids at school the other day,” Martin began again. “Nothing serious, but she was stuck in bed for a day. She kept telling me she was fine, but I knew she was lying. So I ran her a hot bath and used myself as an extra blanket all night to make sure she stayed warm enough.”

Douglas cracked a smile. Leave it to Martin to be romantic, even in sickness.

“Maybe I’ll try that,” Douglas said as a thank you.

                     *                              *                                  *                                *

Douglas tried to make as little noise as possible as he walked in his apartment, afraid Maggie was sleeping. Quietly he tiptoed into their bedroom, only to find the room empty.

As he walked towards the kitchen, he saw her, curled up and shivering on the couch, having kicked off her blanket in her sleep.

He snuck back into the bedroom and walked into the master bathroom, turning on the hot water in the tub and adding salts and lavender soap.

When the water began rising, he walked back to the living room and leaned down to kiss Maggie’s forehead. It was hot to the touch.

Maggie stirred at his touch, opening her eyes halfway to look up at him.

“Darling,” Douglas whispered, “I’ve run you a bath.”

“No, no, I’m fine,” she croaked out, barely above a whisper.

“Maggie,” Douglas said sternly, “Let me take care of you.”

When she smiled weakly and nodded her head, Douglas reached down and scooped her up in his arms. 

“There we go,” Douglas cooed, standing Maggie up once they reached the bathroom and beginning to gently remove her clothing.

“Easy does it,” he said, carefully setting her in the tub. He watched her lay her head back against the wall and close her eyes. On instinct, he stripped himself and stepped into the tub with her, pulling her against his chest, and gently rubbed the washcloth against her body.

“Douglas, you really don’t have-“

“Hush now,” Douglas said, running cold water on the cloth and laying it against her forehead. “How’s that?”

In reply, Maggie sunk down deeper into the tub and rested her head against his chest.
Douglas smiled and kissed the top of her head.

After a good thirty minutes, Douglas could feel the water turning cold. Not wanting to risk Maggie getting chilled, he eased out of the tub, dried off, and pulled on clean clothes before reaching over to lift Maggie out of the tub.

Sitting her on their bed, he pulled out a fresh pair of sweats from his own drawer and grabbed his old university sweatshirt he knew Maggie loved cuddling up in before helping her into them.

Fully dressed, Maggie sweetly looked up at Douglas, her once again half-opened eyes full of love and slight embarrassment.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Oh we’re just getting started,” Douglas said, picking her back up and carrying her to the living room. “I’m just going to pop into the kitchen and make some soup,” he said, feeling her head once more. It was still incredibly hot.

Rushing as fast as he could, Douglas made quick time with the soup, and raced back into the living room, not wanting to leave Maggie without him a moment longer.

“Sit up a little farther for me, darling,” Douglas said, helping her up enough so she could eat. When she reached for the bowl, he pulled it away.

“Let me,” he chided, holding the spoon to her mouth.

Too weak to protest, Maggie allowed herself to be force-fed, drinking in the warm liquid.

Once the bowl was nearly empty and Douglas was satisfied, he sat the bowl down and reached for the medicine.

Seeing Maggie’s face, Douglas tried to smile.

“It’s delicious you know,” he said cheerfully.

“You take it then,” Maggie said, her voice so low Douglas could barely hear her.

“Bottoms up,” he said happily, gulping down just a small bit to amuse Maggie. He choked and nearly spit it out as soon as it reached his throat. “Crikey, that’s rubbish!”

Maggie cracked a smile, and attempted to laugh, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit that had her gasping for breath.

“Take it,” Douglas said soothingly when the fit had passed.

In obedience, Maggie downed the medicine and sank back on the couch.
“That’s my girl,” Douglas praised, brushing the hair out of her eyes as an excuse to feel her head.

Still burning hot.

They sat still on the couch for awhile, Douglas’ hand resting on her cheek, his thumb moving in gentle strokes against her face.

When Maggie struggled to keep her eyes even half open, Douglas knew the medicine was beginning to kick in, making her sleepy. 

Standing up over her, Douglas once again leaned down to pick her up, carrying her to their bedroom.

He carefully laid her down and pulled the covers over her. Concerned that was not enough to keep her warm, Douglas turned to get more blankets when he felt her hand grasp his arm.

Douglas turned back to see a pleading look in her eyes, as if she thought he would leave her.

“I’m just going to get another blanket, my darling,” he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

Douglas jogged quickly to grab another blanket, then jogged back to the bedroom. Smiling as he entered, he placed the blanket on his wife’s frail figure, then crawled into bed himself.

“Douglas, I might be contag-“ Maggie tried to protest, sitting up, but Douglas cut her off.

“You might also need my body heat,” Douglas said, pushing her back down. “I’m not sleeping anywhere else tonight.”

Finally giving up for the night, Maggie sank back into the pool of blankets, allowing herself to be curled into Douglas’ warmth. She sighed contently as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her head towards his chest so as to completely engulf her.

“I don’t deserve you,” she breathed into his shoulder.

“You don’t deserve to be sick,” Douglas replied, kissing her forehead.

He smiled. Her head was just a little bit cooler.