I Need You

Chapter 5 - The Sickness

Kimberly's P.O.V.

Paul was needed in the studio again. So while he was gone, I decided to visit my family since I haven't seen them for quite some time. "How's it going over there with Paul?" Asked my mom. "It's wonderful! He plays me such beautiful songs every now and then!" I said. "Which one touched your heart the most?" Asked my dad. "This one song called And I Love Her. It was the sweetest one ever." I said. "You're very lucky to be dating a Beatle." Said Curtis. I smiled and pat my brother on his back.

George's P.O.V.

I drove Paul back to his and Kimberly's place in his car. The reason is because something awful happened while me and the rest were working in the studio. What happened was that Paul broke into a massive coughing fit. He even said his stomach was hurting him like crazy. Next thing I know, he charges into the bathroom and vomits... five times! I volunteered to take him home after all that.

Once I parked in front of the house, I helped him out of the car. He linked his arm around my neck and I guided him to the door. Before I opened the door, two girls around Kimberly's age approached me. "Hey, aren't you George Harrison?" The blonde girl asked. "I am. Can I help you girls with something?" I asked. "We were looking for Kimberly. Do you know where she is?" The other girl asked. "I'm afraid I don't. Can I have your names, please?" I said.

The blonde girl introduced herself first. "My name is Heather." She said. "And I'm Teresa." Said the other girl. "Nice to meet you both." I said. The two girls notice me holding Paul. "What's wrong with Paul?" Asked Heather. "He got sick while we were working in the studio. So I drove him home." I said. "Oh, that's terrible!" Said Teresa. "I'm gonna stay with him until Kimberly comes back from wherever she is." I said. "She's probably visiting her family." Heather said.

That's when it hit me. "Why haven't I thought of that? Thank you, Heather!" I said. "Anytime, George." Said Heather. "Could you tell Kimberly we stopped by?" Teresa asked. "Sure, I'll tell her." I said. "Great! Thanks, George!" Said Teresa. I gave the girls a nod and smiled at them as they walked away.

I reached for the doorknob and tried to open the door, but it's locked. "Paul, do you have your keys?" I asked. "Yeah. They're in... my pocket." Said Paul weakly. He reached into his pants pocket and handed me his keys. I unlocked the door and entered the house. Paul was almost about to collapse as I continued to hold him. "Alright, where's your bedroom?" I asked. "First room *cough* on your right. On this level." Paul said. So I took Paul to his bedroom which is probably Kimberly's room as well.

Shortly after putting Paul in bed, I called for a doctor to come over. I sit on the couch and wait for Kimberly to come home after hanging up the phone.

Kimberly's P.O.V.

I drove back to mine and Paul's place. When I pulled up, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I go inside and look around for my boyfriend. "Paul? Where are you, love?" I called. I look on the couch and see someone sitting down. "Oh, darling, I missed you so mu..." I paused after realizing that it wasn't Paul on the couch. It was George. He looked at me with worry.

"George? What are you doing here? Where's Paul?" I asked. George gets up and puts his hands on my shoulders. "I don't know how to tell you this, Kim." He began. "Tell me what?" I asked. George takes a deep breath before speaking. "Paul is... he's not well." He said hesitantly. A worried expression appears on my face. "Where is he?" I asked with my voice trembling. "He's in your room." Said George.

I immediately charge into my room and George follows me. He stands in the doorway. I find Paul on our bed. He looked extremely pale and very weak. I walked over to him and took his hand in mine. He looks at me with tired eyes. "Kimberly... it's... it's you." He said in a whisper. "Shh, shh. It's okay. I'm right here." I cooed as I gently stroked his hand with my thumb. I felt tears fill my eyes. I couldn't stand seeing my boyfriend like this. I just had to cry. This time, I'm ugly crying.

"Hey, hey, don't cry." Paul said. He brought his hand up to my face and gently stroked it. "I can't help it, Paulie! It hurts me to see you like this!" I cried. Paul started to wipe my tears away. I held his hand against my face as I began to cry some more.

George walks up to me and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. "George, what's wrong with him?" I asked worriedly. "He got sick while we were working in the studio. It was like no illness I've ever seen." George said. "What happened?" I asked. "Well, he was okay for the first part, then he started coughing violently and threw up five times. It was really scary." Said George. "Oh no." I said quietly as I hung my head. George lifts my head up so I'm facing him. "I already called for a doctor. It'll be here in a little while." He said. I nod slowly. I look back at Paul and kiss his forehead. "Hang in there, baby." I said to him.

The doctor arrives moments later. It was a male doctor. "Kimberly Smith?" He said. "That's me. My friend made the call." I said. "I'm Doctor Robert. Now, please start at the beginning and run me through what happened." Said the doctor. Before I could speak, George stepped forward and spoke instead. "I'll explain it. I saw the whole thing." He said. "Carry on, sir." Said Doctor Robert.

"While me and my bandmates were working in the studio, one of them got really sick, broke into a violent coughing fit, and vomited five times." George said. "Oh my! That doesn't sound good! Where's the patient?" Doctor Robert said. "He's in the bedroom. Come with me." I said. I lead the doctor to mine and Paul's room. "That's him." I said. "Very well then. Please wait out here while I take a look at him." Said Doctor Robert.

I anxiously waited outside the room. George had his arms around me to give me comfort. I cried into his shoulder as he rubbed my back. George wasn't crying, but he was worried about Paul almost as much as I was.

Doctor Robert came out a minute later with a frown. "Well?" Said George. "I'm afraid there isn't much I can do to save him." Said Doctor Robert. "What?! There must be some way to save him!" I said. "I tried whatever I could. And I'm sad to say that this illness is going to kill him in a matter of days." Doctor Robert said. "No, no, no, no, no! I can't lose him! He means so much to me!" I cried. "He has a very weak pulse, and that's not good. He's going to die in a few days. I'm very sorry." Said Doctor Robert. "Well, thanks for trying." Said George. "Of course. Enjoy the rest of your night." Doctor Robert said. He exits the house a minute later.

I fall to my knees and bury my face into my hands, crying hysterically. George sits down next to me and pulls me close to him. "I'm so sorry, Kimberly." He said. "What am I gonna do, George?! I won't be able to live without him!" I said through my tears. "I know how you feel, love. John, Ringo, and I will be here for you." George said. He wraps me into a hug and I bury my face into his chest. George had a few tears fall from his eyes as well. He couldn't stand to see me so sad. So I spent most of the night crying in George's arms.

George left after a while. Since his car was back at the studio, he picked up the phone and called for a cab to drive him back to the studio and retrieve his car. It arrived a few minutes later as George exited my house.

I walk over to Paul, who's laying on our bed. He's holding his head in pain and lets out a loud groan. "Baby, what's wrong?!" I asked worriedly. "I'm on fire!" Said Paul. I put my hand on his forehead and it was extremely hot. "Holy cow! You are on fire!" I yelled. I go to the bathroom and grab the thermometer. I put it into Paul's mouth afterwards. It beeps after a minute. I take it out and read the results.

"It says 111!" I cried. I immediately break down and feel Paul's hand on my chin as he pulls it up. "Please don't cry." He said. "How can I not cry when my boyfriend only has a few days to live?!" I hollered. I fall to my knees and lean my face forward on the bed, crying even harder. I can feel Paul stroking my hair. I lift my head up after a few minutes. My face is completely tear stained. I stand up and continue to look down at my sickly boyfriend. He holds out his hand and I take it. I placed my other hand on his back and gently lifted him up. I caressed his face as he puts his other hand on my hand that's on his face.

"I wish I didn't have to see you like this." I sobbed. "I understand, Kimi. But... I'll feel a lot better... once I'm in... a better place." Said Paul weakly. "Don't say that! I'm not gonna stand around and watch you die! If the doctor can't do anything to save you, then I will!" I said. "How? H-how will you do it?" Paul asked. "I don't know. But I'm not gonna quit until you're back to normal!" I said. "But... I don't... have much time." Said Paul. "Listen to me, Paul! You don't realize how much I need you! Love you all the time and never leave you!" I cried.

Paul gives me a weak smile. I gently pull him in for a hug. I held him close to me throughout the rest of the night.