Niall, answer the door please

Niall, Niall, Ni ?

"I think that is a great idea" Dr Collins was enthusiastic. " It will be a great opportunity for Niall to unwind for a few weeks. A break from all medical appointments and the atmosphere they create will do him the world of good. I'll give you an information folder to take with you with Niall's treatment details plus my contact numbers in case you need them. I doubt you will, but it's a wise precaution". The doctor beamed at them. " What do you think, Niall?"

"I'm up for it" he grinned widely.

"Then that's settled" Liam confirmed. "I'll contact Management and get it all arranged"

"Just let me know if there is any problem there, Liam. Stephen and I have an understanding" The doctor's voice was stern.

"Will do. I'll get Louis on the case. Thanks Dr Collins, we'll see you when we get back." Liam and Niall both stood and shook hands with him before making their way slowly out and back to the car for the drive home. Niall was in excellent spirits and it warmed Liam's heart to see him so happy.

Louis' conversation with Management was short and sweet. It basically consisted of Louis telling Management what the band wanted and telling him to make the arrangements. Much to everyone's surprise, Stephen made no resistance and it was only a few hours later when his secretary, Samantha, rang Louis with all the flight details, living arrangements and all the other necessary information. A private hospital in the area had also been alerted in case of emergency. All it remained to do was for the band to pack.

"Calm down, Niall" Harry said for what seemed the hundredth time that morning. Niall was bouncing around the house in his excitement. Whilst they were happy to see such a cheerful Niall, it was also worrying as Niall's balance issues meant they'd already had to scoop him up off the floor a few times.

"The car is here" Louis shouted. "Everyone all set?" With that he started taking the suitcases out to the waiting car and helped Paddy load them. The others followed swiftly and, after making sure their young Niall was comfortably situated in the car, they were soon on their way to the airport.

"Wow! Liam breathed gazing at the interior of the private jet . "What got into Management? Just what did you say to them, Louis?" Liam turned to his smirking bandmate.

"Just this and that, Liam. Just this and that. Right strap in boys" Louis scrambled into a seat and fastened his seatbelt. The others were not long in following their example. Niall gulped nervously. He still suffered side effects from his recent illness and was feeling rather panicky. Harry reached across and grabbed his hand and started talking quietly to him of inconsequential things, keeping Niall's focus on him and soon they were airborne.

Louis pulled out his phone and to a snap of Niall curled up and asleep. He posted it on Twitter with the hashtag #sleepingbeauty. They had been very quiet on social media lately as they didn't went to tweet what management told them . This way, thought Louis, the fandom would see that Niall was Ok and was getting better. All the boys gradually fell asleep all, excepting Niall, waking when the plane touched down.

They were met by Alberto who had been flown in ahead of them. It didn't take long for the baggage to be transferred to the waiting car . Once that had been accomplished Paddy carried the sleeping little Irish man to the car where he was placed into Liam's supporting embrace for the journey to the Villa that Management had rented for their stay. Niall never stirred, he was so deeply asleep. Liam looked down at Niall and smiled at just how young he looked, his face relaxed in sleep. Liam felt his eyes fill with tears as he thought about just how near they had come to losing Niall. He quickly dashed them away but not before Harry had noticed. "Yeah, it would have killed us too" Harry said quietly, reading Liam's thoughts.

The villa was impressive. It was large and white, with a wrap around porch and all the rooms at the front had balconies that faced the sparkling blue sea. Alberto had picked Niall up and carefully carried him in, laying him on a couch in a big sitting room. The others all raced off to explore the villa. Their first priority was to pick the best room for Niall. That done, they chose their own rooms. Harry decided to investigate the kitchen and found it very well stocked with every food one could possibly think of. He'd enjoy cooking, he thought.

Paddy and Alberto were to be their only bodyguards whilst they stayed at the villa. It was extremely secluded with it's own private beach. And as they had successfully to keep out of the public eye, neither press nor fans knew where they were. They could all relax and just concentrate on Niall and on enjoying themselves. Five relentless years of touring and making albums had worn them all down and the rest was a welcome one. They loved their fans and truly appreciated everything the fans had done for them , but they were running on empty and just to be able to stop and breath was heaven.

They had been at the villa for eight days and the improvement in Niall was very noticeable. He had gained a little weight, had lost his hospital pallor and was far more cheerful. He still had his down moments when his body didn't do everything he demanded of it, but even that was improving. He loved spending time down on the beach and, being an excellent swimmer, spent a lot of time in the water. Liam, always Daddy Direction, was careful to monitor him and make sure he wasn't over tiring himself. Liam insisted on Niall sticking to a short rest mid morning and a long siesta after lunch. Niall was still in bed by 9pm and sleeping through till 8am. His bandmates were ecstatic as seeing him getting better and better as each day passed. It looked like the old Niall was coming back.

Niall and Louis were racing towards the floating pontoon, Niall well in the lead. Louis was a fast swimmer but Niall was like a fish. Louis was cursing fit to burst by the time he caught Niall, grabbing him around the waist and ducking him under. Niall hadn't expected the ducking and had been gigglingly wildly at Louis's choice of language, the curses very inventive. Niall finally broke free from Louis and popped up, couching a spluttering. He came out with a volley of his own curses as he tried to rid himself of the water he had swallowed. After getting his breath back they both swam back ashore where Liam instantly insisted Niall take a rest. Niall rolled his eyes but curled up in the shade on a blanket Liam had thoughtfully spread out for him, shutting his eyes and falling asleep.

"Niall, Niall, Ni , mate. Wake up, sleepy. It's lunch time." Liam shook Niall's shoulder gently. "Niall? Ni! This time Liam was screaming. He shook Niall harder but still Niall didn't react. He rolled his friend over onto his back. Niall's face was pale but he remained unconscious. Paddy , who was with them, took on look at the unconscious boy and swiftly pulled him into his arms and began to run back up the sand towards the villa. "Hospital, now" he called over his shoulder. White faced the boys rapidly followed. Terror written on all their faces.