"Will?"
The soft voice registered but barely roused the napping man.
"Will, do you feel any better? You've been asleep for two hours. Feel better…please, Will…"
A palm touching his forehead accompanied the gentle voice. Will turned towards the speaker and felt himself returning to consciousness.
He blinked, unable to reconcile what his eyes saw with what his ears had heard.
"Jack?"
Jack looked slightly embarrassed. How much had Will heard while still asleep? How much would he remember from before it? Jack smiled brightly, forcing the thoughts away.
"I talked to my old nursing buddies; they think you have something called…"
Jack squinted at a piece of paper on Will's beside table.
"Gastro-gastro-entere-gastric enter"
"Gastroenteritis?" Ugh, stomach flu.
Jack nodded and showed him the paper. He offered him a water bottle and a piece of plain, untoasted bread.
Will drank a little and forced half the bread down. He attempted to sit up. Jack quickly supported him and arranged some of the pillows to make it more comfortable for him.
Jack put the water bottle on the bedside table and gently touched Will's face.
"Do you feel any better? Stomach settled?"
Will nodded. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Will kicked off his covers, attempting to walk to the bathroom. However, he barely made it three steps before almost collapsing.
Jack could have hit him.
"Let me help you. You don't have to do everything by yourself, Will!"
He guided him to the bathroom and back into his bed without a sound, biting his tongue. He had said more than he wanted to; he hoped Will wouldn't read too much into his words and actions.