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It was sometime in the afternoon, and Phoebe was curled up in her bed. She had been drifting in and out of sleep for the past several hours, but now her pounding headache was keeping her awake. She must have caught the cold that Trevor had gotten last week.
Suddenly, a blue glow materialized in the corner of the room. Melody formed and drifted over to Phoebe.
“Aww, Phoebs, you look terrible.”
“Im aware”
She coughed. “I think I'm sick.”
Melody laid down next to Phoebe. She tried to run her hand through her curls but her hands just passed through.
“I wish I could do something to help,” Melody said sadly.
“Being here is good.” But then she realized. “Wait, mom never got rid of that machine in the basement.”
“Which one?”
Phoebe sat up. “The Separator. Remember? It allows me to ghostwalk. We can exist on the same dimensional plane for 2 minutes!”
While Phoebe looked happier than she had all day, Melody didn't look as excited.
“Are you sure? I don’t know what it feels like but it looked pretty uncomfortable last time and you're already sick.”
“It’ll be fine. I’ve endured much worse as a ghostbuster. Believe me.”
“Okay then. But if you start to feel dizzy or faint or anything, you have to tell me.”
“I will, don't worry.”
And with that she rolled out of bed and started making her way downstairs.
She stumbled a little bit on the stairs and Melody tried to steady her but as usual her hands just passed through. She wished not for the first time that they could exist like other couples without Phoebe having to split her atoms apart. Although she hated seeing her in so much pain, Melody was enamored by her bravery.
After many close calls of Phoebe almost falling down the stairs, they finally arrive at the basement.
Phoebe didn't feel well. Although she tried not to show it for Melody’s sake, the stairs had taken a lot out of her. Her vision had started to blur slightly and she was having trouble standing up herself.
They went over to the machine and Phoebe started pressing buttons. It took longer than usual and she kept messing up the sequence.
“Are you sure you can do this? You really aren't looking well at all. We can stay here and just chat.”
“No, I want to do this. I’ll feel better once I’m a ghost, they can't get sick. It doesn't even hurt for that long.”
Melody looked like she wanted to argue but she knew it wouldn't get anywhere. Phoebe was determined to do this and although Melody hated seeing her in pain, she really wanted to be able to run her hand through Phoebe’s hair.
Phoebe stumbled into the machine. Melody went as close as she could to the glass without passing through it. Who knew what would happen if a ghost got stuck in it while it was working.
Melody and Phoebe made eye contact as the machine started working. Phoebe thought she would be more prepared this time but it felt even worse than the first time she tried it. She stumbled for a second and then crumbled to the floor.
“Phoebe?” Melody asked when Phoebe hadn’t gotten up or moved at all from her spot on the floor. “Phoebs? Are you okay?”
The machine suddenly stopped, but Phoebe’s ghost was not there. She was still lying inside the glass box, which concerned Melody. Was she passed out? Or worse?
This was all Melody’s fault. Phoebe could be seriously injured all because she was too selfish to stop her from putting her life in danger. What kind of girlfriend was she? She should have shot down Phoebe’s idea as soon as she said it and convinced her to stay in her room.
Suddenly, Phoebe moved her head.
“Did it work? I don't remember.” She looked upset.
“Phoebe, what happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“You passed out and never transferred to a ghost! This was a bad idea. Should I get someone? This could be serious.”
“No, no.” She slowly pushed herself up. “I'll get in trouble. I’m not supposed to be doing this anymore, remember?”
She opened the door and stumbled out. Up close, Melody could analyze Phoebe. She looked worse than before.
“Phoebe! You said you would tell me if you felt worse!”
“I know. I thought I could do it. Why didn't it work?” She looked devastated.
“Come sit down. You’re scaring me.”
Phoebe sat down against the wall and hugged her knees.
“Why didn't it work?” She repeated.
“I don’t know but you need to rest. We can try this another time.”
“But I don’t want to rest. I want to be with you.”
Phoebe leaned back and her eyes drifted shut. This is when Melody noticed the sweat and dark circles under her eyes.
“Phoebe, I think it’s time I go and get someone. Of course I won't if you really don't want me to, but you know I can't do much to help.”
Phoebe looked over at Melody and her eyes took a second longer to focus on her than normal.
“I want to stay with you.” She said slowly.
“Me too, but staying here isn't doing you anything good for your health. I don't think you can make it up all those stairs again, and you know I can’t help.”
Melody could see the gears worked in Phoebe’s brain, and although they were much slower than usual, at least they were working.
“I guess if they don’t know what I was here for, I can’t get in trouble.”
Melody was happy that Phoebe finally agreed. If she hadn't, Melody would honor her wishes but would always be bitter that she could not be the one to guide Phoebe to her room or take her temperature or do what girlfriends do to take care of them while sick.
Melody floated upstairs and got Trevor to help Phoebe up to her room. Phoebe was concerningly limp on the way back up the stairs to her room, but kept glancing back at Melody as if she could offer help of any kind.
Back in her room, Trevor deposited Phoebe into her bed and tucked her in. Melody was jealous that it couldn't be her to do that and comfort Phoebe.
Trevor left so Melody and Phoebe could be alone.
Phoebe was laying under a pile of blankets. She looked miserable.
“I’m so upset the Separator didn't work.”
“It’s alright, I’m here now.” Melody comforted her.
“It’s not alright. Why do we have to do all this just to be together? I don't get it.”
Phoebe looked distressed.
“We can talk about this later. For now just go to sleep.”
Phoebe looked like she wanted to object, but her eyes closed and she drifted off. Melody admired her. Why should she have to suffer so much for something that everyone else takes for granted?
As Phoebe slept, Melody tried to think of any positive aspects of their conundrum, but couldn't find any. Maybe they were just meant to be kept apart.