Title: Salad Days
Author: Nicollette Marquis McFadgen
Disclaimer: They belong to Joss. All hail the crack head.

*****

I was nervous. I was always nervous in front of a crowd. Even after all these years, the butterflies still fluttered in my stomach. Luckily, I had Devon's hand to hold on to.

We were walking down this long red carpet on our way to watching a movie. Not just any movie. A movie that the Dingoes wrote and produced all the songs for. I had no idea what it was about, Dev wouldn't tell me. Sometimes he likes his surprises and secrets. Truthfully, I didn't care about the movie, I was just going to hear Devon's music. The soundtrack, which had been released two weeks ago, got killer reviews and the first single, Thorn Wrapped in Silk, was climbing it's way to number one on the charts. I think I heard something about it being number one by next week.

Anyway, Dev and I and the rest of the Dingoes and their dates were walking up the carpet. I tried to look calm and collected as reporters and photographers all hollered for us to stop and chat or give them a prime picture. They always wanted to catch us kissing. A few even asked us to kiss. We never kissed on their demand. We kiss when we want to.

Devon leaned over and whispered in my ear, "CNN," as he pointed to the side. I looked and sure enough, there was Kurt Loder, once of Mtv fame, holding a CNN microphone and looking anxious to talk to us. I sighed, but said okay. Devon could never refuse a chance to do an interview with CNN. He liked that his image and voice would be broadcast on one of the most 'intellectual' channels. I think his next aim was the History Channel, but I didn't know how he'd pull that one off.

His hand let go of mine and wrapped around my waist, pulling me tightly against him. "What's up, Kurt?" he asked with a smile that made all his little college groupies faint.

"Devon, Xander, nice to see you!"

"As always, Kurt, the pleasure is all ours," Devon charmed. I just stood there. That was what I always did. I've never been the best with words, so I'd only answer questions that were specifically directly at me, otherwise, Devon was the spokesperson of our relationship.

"So, can you tell us how it feels to have the fastest climbing single in America?"

Devon's smile grew. He loved it. "Well, to be honest, it feels like all the other times that we had the fastest climbing single, Kurt." Kurt smiled and then Devon shook his head. "But really, it feels great. I'm glad the fans are responding positively. As you know, we tried some different things, different sounds on this one and for a while, I was a little nervous about how it would be accepted, but now I can see that it was just a waste of time to be nervous. The Dingoes have always had a loyal fan base that are into changing with us, so if we get a little funky and try new things, they dig it."

I smiled. He was so *into* all this. He was so good at talking to reporters. Absently noticing a piece of white lint on his crisp black shirt, I brushed it off. That was my mistake. Kurt noticed me again and started talking directly to me. "So, Xander, what are you expecting of the movie this evening? Has Devon told you the plot?"

"Ah, no. He hasn't told me anything. I don't know what to expect. Well, maybe that it'll be kick ass since the soundtrack is so good."

Devon's arm tightened around me and I looked over at him. He had a soft smile playing on his lips and I could tell that under those blue sunglasses, his eyes were sparkling. Turning to Kurt, Devon asked, "How could I not love this guy, huh?"

~**~

Half way through the movie, Xander got up, saying that he wasn't feeling well. I waited for a moment before I got up and followed him to the bathroom. Unfortunately, it wasn't a private bathroom, so we couldn't just lock the door and keep the rest of the world out.

"Baby?" I asked as he leaned over the sink, splashing cool water over his face. "What's wrong?"

"I feel sick, Dev."

"The movie that bad?" I asked with a smile. He didn't even move. He just stood there, hunched over. The water was running still, but he wasn't splashing it on his face anymore. "Baby?" I stepped towards him, concerned. I could hear his heavy breathing. It was labored. "Are you okay?"

Finally, he shook his head. That was when I moved behind him and wrapped one arm around his waist while the other moved around to his forehead. Brushing back his damp hair, I felt how hot he was. "Xander."

"I don't know what's wrong," he whispered.

"Okay," I said, trying to remain calm and not panic. "We'll just get you to a doctor and then it'll go away."

"I can't move."

"What?"

"I think I'll be sick if I do."

Pressing against his too hot body, I smiled a little and kissed his neck. "I won't mind if you puke on me." He didn't laugh. He just stayed still. I just pressed my lips to his neck again.

I didn't even hear the door open, but I most certainly heard the guy speak. "Aw, Jesus. This ain't one of your fucking queer bathhouses, you perverts."

My jaw clenched. I turned around. His hateful expression changed to recognition when he saw who I was. "Get the fuck out before I kick your ass, you narrow minded bigot."

Sure enough, that was all I needed to say. The guy left. I turned back around and my brow creased when I found Xander sitting down on the floor, curled in on himself. Kneeling, I whispered, "Don't pay that ignorant fuck any mind. They don't matter; they can think what they want." My hands moved to cup his face and until then, I'd forgotten that he wasn't feeling well. But when my hands touched his skin, it came back. He was so hot. "Xander?"

"Devon, I don't feel. . .I think. . ." his words trailed off.

Sitting down, I pulled him to me gently, until he was cradled in my arms. "Baby, just tell me what's wrong. Tell me what you're feeling."

"Cold and my head hurts and it's hot everywhere."

"I'm going to take you to the hospital, Xander. They'll make you better." He didn't say anything back. I think he was concentrating on his breathing. It was coming in short little huffs. "Okay," I said for myself. A fierce debate waged in my head. Leave Xander for a minute to get Oscar, my bodyguard, because I knew that I couldn't pick Xander up and carry him by myself, or stay here with him and hope someone who is not a bigot comes in soon.

As I felt my shirt grow damp from his perspiration, I remembered my cell phone. Jostling Xander as little as possible, I reached into the pocket of my pants and dialed the limo's phone. Oscar answered.

~**~

I'm not really sure what happened. All I know is that I didn't feel well during a heavy dialogue scene and then next thing I know, I woke up at Cedar-Sinai with tubes sticking out of me. Devon was in the chair next to my bed. He was asleep, but he looked like he hadn't slept for days before that.

I said his name and instantly he woke up. He was never a light sleeper, but I guess he was that day. He stood up quickly and was at the side of the bed, holding my hand in no time. "Baby," he breathed, smiling at me.

"You okay?"

Devon blinked. "Am *I* okay? Baby, I'm not the one in the hospital bed."

Smiling lightly, I gave a small chuckle. "Okay, then. Am I okay?"

His brow creased as his hand tightened on mine. "They don't know." For a moment, he closed his eyes and shook his head. "They don't know what happened or what's wrong. They've got to get more tests done and. . ."

"Can we go home?"

Devon shook his head. "Xander, you've been sleeping for three days."

Confused, I asked, "What?"

"You just. . .went to sleep and I didn't know if you were going to wake up." Devon's voice was panicked.

I smiled a little, trying to put him at ease. "Maybe I was just really tired."

"But it happened so quick."

Shaking my head, I gave his hand a squeeze. "I feel fine now."

"They have to do tests, Xander," Devon said firmly, wearing his, 'listen to me because I'm Devon' expression.

"Fine. Tests," I sighed. Looking up at him hopefully, I asked, "But after they finish poking me, will you take me to our beach house? I want to get away for a while."

Devon smiled as he leaned down. Giving me a sweet kiss, he sighed. He pulled back a little, "Baby, if you get these tests done, we can do anything you want."

~end~