The Back Up Benefit

Up The Creak Without A Paddle

Note: Contains swearing!
...
When we got to the hotel it was a lot smarter than I expected and I felt a little underdressed in my baggy tracksuit bottoms and tshirt.

"I should change out of this." I told Ricky and gestured to my creased clothes after we checked in.

"You're fine." he shrugged.

"No I'm not! I can't go to your gig in the same clothes I slept in!" I shook my head. "I might have a bath too."

"Can I join you for that?" he asked.

"Of course." I grinned. "I presumed you're staying here tonight too."

"Only if you want me to." he replied.

"Why wouldn't I want my lovely boyfriend staying the night?" I replied and kissed him on the cheek.

When we got into our room he'd barely shut the door when I grabbed the front of his tshirt and pulled him over to the bed.

"I thought you'd want to have a sleep not to sleep with me!" he exclaimed.

I did have a bit of a sleep later. After our 'reunion' I fell asleep with my back against his hot, bare body as he kissed my neck and shoulders. I gazed vacantly out of the window, too happy to really notice the big buildings outside.

When I woke up I was alone but could hear his voice somewhere. I looked around and saw there was a door to a balcony left slightly open. A breeze blew the curtains slightly and I could see Ricky out on the balcony and talking on the phone.

"Honestly Si, she really is asleep!" he laughed. "I'll ask when she wakes up. She's pretty tired."

He talked for a little longer then said goodbye and headed back in doors.

"Hey." I smiled sleepily when he closed the door and shut out the noise of traffic.

"Sorry I woke you." he said softly and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"You didn't wake me. I think it was more the breeze and the traffic." I replied.

"Yeah, it's a bit cold out there. I probably shouldn't have been outside in just a dressing gown though!" he laughed.

He was wearing a white towelling robe that you find in nice hotels. He had it loosely tied so that it was almost open at the front and showing off his chest, that was dotted with freckles and a few sparse chest hairs.

"Eyes up here young lady!" he joked when he saw my eyes wander downwards. "I know my man boobs are magnificently perky but I'm not your piece of meat!"

"Shall we have that bath we talked about, Mr Not-To-Be-Objectified?" I asked.

"Yeah." he nodded.

We laid out facing each other in the bath full of fragrant bubbles. The bath was massive and had more than enough room for the two of us. The bath in my flat now seemed more like a wash basin. I sighed and smiled blissfully.

"You're looking very pleased with yourself." Ricky chuckled.

" Oh I am!" I nodded. "I've got my man, a lovely bath, I've had a nice sleep. What more could I want from life?"

"That's what I like to hear!" he smiled.

After we were washed and dressed we went to meet the rest of the band and some of the crew. We did a bit of sight seeing and got some food to eat before they all got to work. I got a pretzel from a food stand and was impressed with the size.

"Can we just talk about how my food is bigger than my head. Look at it!" I said and held it up to Peanut who was sat next to me playing with his camera.

"All the food's bigger here. I'm going to have to get new clothes if I eat any more!" he laughed.

I'd completely forgotten my stress back home as I spent the day with my friends, laughing and having fun. Ricky was there most of the time and didn't seem to want to let go of my hand. I didn't want him to either. When it was time for their gig to start I kissed Ricky and wished them all luck before I headed out to the auditorium.

I was having so much fun until about half way through I felt so dizzy I thought I was going to faint. I grabbed the rail in front of me to steady myself until it passed. Except it didn't seem to be passing any time soon. The room was still spinning a few songs later. I had to get out of this hot standing area and sit down somewhere.

I pushed my way out of the crowd and into the foyer. It was much cooler out here and I took a few deep breaths. I sank down onto some steps next to some windows and pressed my hot forehead against cold glass.

"That's good." I sighed to myself.

"Excuse me ma'am, are you sick?" an American accent asked a little too loudly behind me.

I jumped a little with fright. "I'm just a bit hot." I muttered. "Thanks."

I wasn't sure how long I stayed there but I suddenly felt a lurch of sickness in my stomach. I got up and tried to run to the nearest toilet as the world still spun around me.

I wretched a few times but nothing came up. I hated vomiting. It was exhausting. I felt a little less dizzy now but instead of heading back to the hot auditorium I went backstage, showing the guards my pass around my neck, and went to rest on the sofa in their dressing room.

I sighed as I sat back into the big soft cushions with a bottle of water. I could hear the music coming from the stage even back here. I was just starting to doze off a little when they all burst into the room laughing.

"Oh sorry." they each muttered.

"You alright love?" Ricky asked as he sat down next to me.

"I'm a bit poorly. I think everything's catching up with me." I grumbled.

"I'll get changed and then take you back to the hotel." I said softly and kissed my forehead.

"You don't have to. I can get a taxi myself." I said weakly.

"You can't even remember the name of the hotel." he teased.

"It's the... umm... It's on that swipey key card thing." I shrugged. "Ok, you're right."

After he got changed out of his sweaty clothes from the gig he asked someone to get us a taxi and put a reassuring arm around me as we headed out to the waiting car. I snuggled up to him as we drove and let him guide me through the hotel to our room.

"You don't have to stay." I told him when I was tucked up in bed. "Go out partying with the others."

"I'm staying with you. I'm not leaving my poorly girlfriend alone in a strange city." he said. "You're just a bit tired anyway. Have a sleep and you'll be alright in the morning."

"Yes Doctor Wilson." I nodded.

He slipped into bed next to me and smoothed a few stray hairs off my face. "Well, at least your not pregnant. It doesn't happen that fast!" he chuckled.

My blood ran cold and the little colour in my face drained. I looked at him with terrified eyes. Why hadn't I realised it? Shit!