Sickness

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd, 'n' Eddy or it's characters.

Chapter 2,

"I don't believe them." Jimmy said emerging from the living room and into the dining room.

"Who?" Kevin asked. After hearing Edd speak, he decided to sit down at the table and think about how Edd acted around him.

"Double D's parents. I was on the phone forever and I couldn't get a hold of anybody. I finally got an answering and I left a message. I think I may leave another message in an hour, if they don't hurry back." Jimmy said and Kevin thought about how Edd talked about his folks.

"Well, maybe if you leave a bunch of messages, they will actually come back." Kevin said and Jimmy sighed.

"Edd needs somebody to nurture him through this. And as much as I want to help, I don't know Edd as well as I know Sarah. I know exactly how to calm her down." Jimmy said and Kevin blinked.

Ah, that is more soothing then I could imagine. Who knew that I could miss the sound of my neighbor dribbling a basketball. Though I have never been one for sports, I do like it when Kevin plays.

Kevin remembered Edd saying and he bit his lip.

Maybe playing a round of basketball would calm the dork down a bit. Though I really don't want Jimmy to know I would be playing for Edd. What can I say to get away with this?

Kevin wondered and he looked at Jimmy and shrugged.

"Well, I don't know how to calm Edd down. But I always enjoyed basketball to calm myself down. I think Double D was falling asleep upstairs, so maybe we can play a round." Kevin said and Jimmy narrowed his eyes.

"How rude, Kevin. Abandoning Edd in his state. What do you have to say about yourself." Jimmy said, crossing his arms and Kevin's gaze dropped into a bored expression.

"I just figured that being out of the house would give Edd the silence he needs to rest. Besides, being right next door, we can still stop his dorky friends from barging in and messing with him." Kevin said logically, and Jimmy twisted his lip as he thought about it.

"Well, perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. We can still check up on Edd every couple of minutes, so that he won't be alone." Jimmy said and Kevin smiled, but mostly out of the fact that it worked.

"Ok, I'll go outside and get the ball." Kevin said as he stood up.

"Alright, then. I should probably go up and check on Edd first. Just to make sure that he has everything he needs. Jimmy said and Kevin paused watching him go up the stairs. There was a possibility that Jimmy would reveal the fact that he was there. Kevin wasn't sure why he didn't want Double D to know he was here.

Could it be that Kevin was worried about his image? Being nice to one of the dorks, even Edd, could tarnish his bad boy rap, he tend to have. Or could this be more personal. Taking care of Edd, in such a tender way, could cause their relationship to change. Not that Kevin would ever admit to caring about Edd's health. Shaking his head, to stop his mind from coming up with more theories, he stopped thinking and walked outside.

"Knock, knock, Double D?" Jimmy said, as he entered the room. He saw the food on the desk was untouched, and he walked over to Edd's side.

"Oh... hello, there... Jimmy." Edd said tiredly, and Jimmy felt Edd's head.

"My, you're burning up. You surely need your rest. I can take this food downstairs, and bring it back when you're ready for it." Jimmy offered and Edd blinked.

"Huh, what food?" Edd said, trying to be more alert.

"I made you some snack stuff and Kevin brought it up for me. Didn't he tell you he put it on your desk?" Jimmy questioned and Edd rolled over and glanced at the tray of food.

"My, word. No he... I didn't even hear him." Edd said and Jimmy looked at the tray too.

"Well, Edd. If you are hungry, I'll leave it so that you can eat it. But if you're not then I can just make you something hot to drink instead." Jimmy offered and Edd was still thrown at the fact that Kevin was in his room.

"No, no, I really shouldn't eat something." Edd said and Jimmy smiled.

"Ok, but then afterwards we can tuck you in so that you can get some much needed rest." Jimmy said and Edd sat up slowly.

"Edd, perhaps I can feed you until you're healthy again." Jimmy said and Edd looked at him.

"Jimmy, I'm not sick enough to have you, you... Ah-Choo...! Feed me." Edd said and Jimmy seemed to disagree, but didn't question it. Then in the silence, a familiar calming sound came from the outside world. Edd smiles blissfully as he recognized the noise and Jimmy stared at him.

"There he is." Edd said softly and Jimmy blinked.

"Kevin?" Jimmy asked and Edd nodded.

"He often does something outside at this time. And so the daily noise he makes is very relaxing for me. Growing children live routines after all." Edd said and Jimmy glanced out the window.

"So listening to Kevin calms you down?" Jimmy asked, as if a lifelong question was being answered.

"Well, it depends on it's content, but generally yes." Edd said, and Jimmy smiled.

"I'm glad that he's helping me out then. If he is the key to keeping you relaxed, then he be in here with you all the time." Jimmy said, skipping out of the room and Edd knew he should panic, but he was also so very weak. How could he argue when what Jimmy says is true. Edd did enjoy Kevin's company, when he wasn't upset. And logically he knew he needed to state that one caregiver was plenty. Though if Edd was honest, especially in his state of being, emotionally he did want Kevin around.

"Pass me the ball Kevin." Jimmy cried out and Double D heard Kevin chuckle. Edd felt a bit woozy, but despite himself, he found his way to his feet and over to the window. There he saw Kevin and Jimmy in Kevin's driveway. Jimmy was dribbling the basketball awkwardly and Kevin had crossed his arms as he watched the young lad. Jimmy threw the ball up into the air, and it didn't even make it close to the hoop.

The ball rolled up to Kevin's feet and he swooped it up. It was at this time that Kevin saw Edd at his window staring at them, and Kevin decided to give Edd something to watch. Kevin spun the ball on his fingers, then across his chest and on the bill of his cap. Edd chuckled as he wondered how Kevin knew the ball would stay, if he wore his hat backwards. And just when it appeared the ball was about to fall, Kevin jerked his head forward, which threw the ball up and into the hoop.

"Wow, Kevin. That was so unique." Jimmy said and Kevin looked up at Edd who was laughing again. Edd's eyes met Kevin's and he applauded for him.

All this laughing was heating up Edd's chest and face. Really hot, actually. Edd stopped clapping and fanned himself softly. He took a step to the side and suddenly became aware of how lightheaded he was. He swayed back and forth, and placed a hand on his head. Then, almost immediately, his vision blurred and his knees gave out.

"EDD!"