Niall, answer the door please

They are men not machines

The boys scrambled their way through the day of interviews. Liam was really struggling now and his efforts to be diplomatic were being sorely tried as every interviewer pushed hard for answers they had been told to avoid giving. Liam's stomach was a churning mess and both Louis and Zayn had severe headaches. Harry's chest felt tight and was hurting him so he was having to use his inhaler frequently and breathing was a major effort. The only rest they looked like they would get was on the car journey up to Sheffield for the three extra shows that Management had arranged. All had been sold out in minutes and the boys all knew that there was no way they were going avoid performing, no matter how ill they felt.

The first show went well though all four boys were not as energetic as usual and Louis and Liam's water fights were very half-hearted. It was the second night where it all went wrong. Liam had been feeling nauseous for days and just an hour before they were due on stage, he started being sick. Nothing was staying down, even the few sips of water he managed to swallow were making a speedy return upwards. Liam was white and shaking, thinking it couldn't get any worse when it did. He felt the cramping and twisting in his gut and stumbled his way to the bathroom. He knew there was no way should even attempt to get on that stage but he also knew that Management would say he had to perform, no excuses. It was close to the end of the opening act finishing their set and Liam finally managed to leave the bathroom. He stood with the others in their pre-show huddle and then started to panic. His breathing got more and more rapid, the breaths too short and too fast. He was starting to hyperventilate and the harder it got to breathe, the more he panicked. He was only vaguely aware of voices around him, shouting things he didn't understand and then everything went black.

Liam woke up to find himself on a couch in the dressing room. He put his hand up to pull away  the oxygen mask that was on his face but a hand stopped him. "Leave it there, son" the voice of the onsite paramedic said. "It's will help you settle down. That was some panic attack you had. You scared your friends quite badly" 

"I have to get on stage" Liam croaked out" The show...."

"It's been canceled so you don't need to worry. Let's just get you checked out then you can go get some rest" With that Liam was removed to a waiting ambulance. He thought of how he'd let the fans down and how Management was going to create and his breathing rate started to escalate again. He was well and truly in for it now.

The nationwide news had already picked up the story:

"One Direction left many fans distraught last night following the cancellation of their show. It appears that band member Liam Payne was taken ill at the last minute and was unable to perform. Although a member of the band's management team made an announcement from the stage to confirm the cancellation, they gave no indication of the nature of the sudden illness that prevented the band from appearing. This is the only time the band in five years, has ever canceled a performance that had already started,  and fans are sending Twitter and other social media into meltdown as they post messages of love and concern for Liam.  We have reached out to the bands' representatives but they have declined to comment. The show has been rescheduled but it is hoped that Liam Payne will be able to perform tomorrow night."

Dr. Collins watched the news then picked up the phone and dialed.

"Modest. Good morning, how may I help you?"

"This is Dr. Collins, Niall Horan's Physician. Your Head of management is expecting a call from me"

"Ah yes, Dr. Collins. I'll put you straight through"

"Good Morning Doctor, I trust you are well? You have an update for me on Niall's condition, I believe?

"Yes, I do. Niall is beginning to make steady progress. He is consciously reacting to stimuli and is showing increasing signs of waking up. He still has a long way to go but things are looking very hopeful. We'll know more when he is fully conscious.

"Excellent, excellent. Now when will he be able to perform again?"

"You really don't get it, do you? "Dr. Collins said in tones of disbelief. "That young man very nearly died, he is still very ill and you are asking when he'll perform again? I can't even guarantee he's going to be able to talk again, or walk, never mind go on a stage and sing. Just what planet are you on?" Dr. Collins was almost incandescent with rage. Was this man so stupid he could not see just how ill the boy was? Was he even aware the other band members were also at breaking point? "Do you realize that Niall is in the state he is in because he had a bout of flu that was neglected. He should have been at home, in bed, but no, he was on stage. It started out as FLU! " The doctor's voice raised on that word. Now he was fully grasping just exactly what his daughter meant when she said that the Management team of One Direction sucked. He took a deep breath and continued more calmly.

"You have seen the news? You know that Liam is now sick. You have Harry who is barely recovered from two major asthma attacks, Louis has already had a complete breakdown and Zayn will probably be next. For god's sake man, wake up. They are men, not machines.  You need to do something and you need to do it now. I have told all the boys they need medicals but doubt they have had them as they appear to be racing from one thing to another then, in precious free time, spending it trying to pull Niall through his illness.  I strongly suggest that you not only arrange it but you make sure that time is found to have them done. Good morning to you, sir" Dr. Collins slammed the phone down.

Stephen stared down at the phone in his hand then gently placed it back in the cradle. He had never in his life been spoken to like that and his initial irritation began to fade as his embarrassment grew. He picked up the phone again and buzzed his secretary

"Samantha, please would you get onto the Doctor in charge of One Direction and schedule appointments for them all to be done as a priority. Please include Zayn in this, also. Let me know when and where it is arranged for.." Stephen hung up and sat staring at the wall, twisting his pen between his fingers.