Chapter 1: The Sneezy Aftermath

The days following Saint Dane's demise had been a blur for Mark and Courtney as they navigated the chaos of rebuilding Third Earth. The once vibrant world was now a desolate landscape, scarred by the evil that had threatened to consume it. Without Bobby's guidance, the two friends were left to pick up the pieces and try to restore order. Courtney, usually a pillar of strength, had begun to feel off. At first, she brushed it off as exhaustion, but as the days went by, she realized something was seriously wrong. It started with a tiny tickle in her nose, a faint whisper of a sneeze that she managed to suppress. But as the day wore on, the tickle grew into a persistent itch, and before she knew it, a massive... "Ah-choo!" ...exploded from her, echoing through the empty streets. Courtney stumbled, her eyes watering as she struggled to regain her balance. Mark, who was standing nearby, caught her by the elbow, steadying her. "Whoa, easy does it," he said with a grin. "You're not exactly the picture of health, are you?" Courtney scowled, trying to play it off. "I'm fine. Just a little...tired." But Mark wasn't buying it. He'd known Courtney long enough to recognize when she was faking it. As the day went on, the sneezes grew more frequent... "Ah-choo!" ...and Courtney's composure began to slip. She stumbled again, and this time Mark had to hold her upright. "Seriously, Courtney, what's going on?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. Courtney shook her head, feeling a wave of emotion wash over her. She was usually the strong one, the one who kept it together, but now... "Ah-CHOOO!" ...she felt like she was losing control. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she looked up at Mark, her face streaked with embarrassment. Mark's expression softened, and he wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "Hey, it's okay. I've got you." As they walked, Courtney's sneezes grew more dramatic... "Achooooo!" ...and Mark found himself enjoying her vulnerability. He teased her good-naturedly, making her laugh despite her misery. But when Courtney let out a particularly massive... "AH-CHOOO-OOO!" ...and sneezed directly onto Mark's shoulder, she begged for relief. "Please, Mark...help me," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. Mark's expression changed, his eyes locking onto hers with a newfound intensity. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Shh, I've got you," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "You're safe." As Courtney leaned into him, Mark felt a spark of attraction ignite within him. He loved how dependent she was on him, how vulnerable she seemed. He took care of her, watching over her as she tried to sleep, her body wracked with... "Achoo..." ...smaller, more pitiful sneezes. Mark smiled to himself, feeling a sense of possession wash over him. He'd never seen Courtney like this before, and he wasn't sure he wanted her to go back to being the strong, capable one. For now, he was happy to be her rock, her shelter from the storm. As the night wore on, Courtney's sneezes grew quieter, her body finally succumbing to exhaustion. Mark held her close, feeling her warmth, her vulnerability... "Achoo..." ...and wondered what the future held for them, now that the world had changed forever.