+chapter.thirteen+

'Ike,' came a familiar voice.

Isaac looked up. There was no one there. 'God, now I'm hearing things.'

'Ike, don't worry about me. I'm gonna be fine. Please don't worry so much,' the voice came again.

'Noey?'

'Don't worry so much…' it trailed.

As quickly as the voice had come, that's as quickly as it faded.

'Noers, you have to be okay,' Isaac thought as a strong arm was put around his shoulders.

"You okay, son?" Walker asked his eldest child.

"Not really, Dad," Isaac replied. "God, why did those jackasses at the dance do this to her? I mean, she did nothing to them!"

"How do you know it was from the dance?"

"Because," Isaac sighed, "there was talk going around that one person's drink would be spiked last night. Why the hell did it have to be my girlfriend?"

"Okay, Ike. Take it easy. "You're right. People like them are asses. Do you know who did it?" Walker asked.

"No! That's what makes it so frustrating! I just want to go and beat the crap outta the…ugh!" Isaac sighed and sank down to the ground against the wall. "Dad, I just want Noelle to be okay. That's it. I don't give a crap about the kid who got away from me or anything else for that matter. All I want is Noelle, home, safe." Isaac put his head in his hands. He was beginning to get one of those migraines. The ones he would get when he thought too hard about something…anything. This was important thought. Very important.

Walker sat down on the floor next to Ike. "I know Isaac. It's difficult, but you can't avoid that in life," he said, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "Another one of those migraines?"

"Yea…this one's pretty bad," Isaac replied. "I think I may be sick…"

"Come on, I'll help you to the nurses' station. Maybe someone can help you."

"Alright," Ike replied a bit weakly. Walker helped Isaac up and to the nurses' station.

"Excuse me, nurse, my son has a horrible migraine, which is making him nauseous. I was wondering if maybe you could help me?" Walker asked.

"Very nauseous," Isaac added.

"Okay, well, I suppose you could lie on a bed for a bit. I'll give you a couple Excedrin's too," the nurse replied.

"Thank you very much," Walker praised. Isaac could only nod slightly.

Walker helped his son to the room the nurse was prepping for him a bit. Noticing Ike was getting a bit flushed, Walker felt his forehead. His suspicions were correct. A fever on top of the rest.

"Dad?"

"Yea, Ike?"

"If you see Noelle before I do, tell her I heard her in the hall before and I that I hope she feels better and that I miss her," Isaac spoke tiredly.

'Must be the fever…he must be delirious,' Walker thought. "Sure, Ike. I'll tell her."

By that time, they reached the room. "He can rest here for a bit…about an hour or so," the nurse said.

"Thanks," Walker said as the nurse left. He then helped Ike into the bed once his shoes were off and draped the cover over him.

"Thanks, Daddy. I'm g'na go't sleep now," Ike yawned, already three-quarters of the way asleep.

"Okay, Ike. Goodnight and sleep tight." Isaac's reply was light snores from the hospital bed.