Thanks as always for the reviews. Much appreciated. :)To those who asked how often I update...I work full time and am a part time college student. I update as often as I can.

Title: Best laid plans
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Marta/Aaron

When Aaron couldn't wake Marta he scooped her up into his arms and stood. He scanned the pier for Mario or Carlos but saw neither. Fighting to keep his emotions under control Cross carried Marta below deck. A million questions swirled in Aaron's mind and he pushed them aside. A few persisted adding to the former outcome agent's fear and worry.

Had she been injured worse in the fall then she'd told him?

Had a cut gone unnoticed and been infected?

Was there bacteria in the ocean that could've made her sick?

Reaching Marta's quarters Aaron laid his friend on the cot. She was burning up with fever but her body was shivering as if cold. Cross covered her with the blanket and went to his sleeping area to grab his blanket. He placed it over Marta and went to the bathroom picking up two hand towels. He doused both with water and returned to Marta. He placed one towel on the former doctor's forehead and set the other aside. He took her pulse once more to find it rapid. Aaron had received basic first aid training in the military. Enough to get you by until help came. Enough to tell you what was wrong. What concerned Aaron the most wasn't the rapid pulse or fever it was how quickly Marta had gotten sick.

She'd seemed fine the night before. Tired and in pain from the shoulder injury but Aaron hadn't detected anything else. With Marta being a doctor Aaron had trusted that she'd tell him if something more was wrong. He thought they'd gotten to that point at least...saving each others lives creates a bond of trust. Taking a steadying breath Aaron tried to concentrate on the facts. Diagnose what was wrong from what he did know...what was plausible. They were in southeast asia not known for high quality water purification, tropical diseases carried by mosquitoes were common also. Since Aaron wasn't sick he went with the latter theory.

Rocking back on his heels Aaron sighed as he looked at Marta's shivering still form. Tropical diseases such as the dengue fever were coincided often with a compromised immune system. With the travel, near death experiences and being dunked in an ocean Marta was certainly vulnerable. Aaron swallowed back the guilt as he realized his companion's illness was his fault. She wouldn't be in the Philippines if it wasn't for him. By trying to save them both he'd endangered the one person he never wanted to see hurt.

Gently Aaron took the spare towel and began to wipe Marta's neck and face. Even without a thermometer he could tell her temperature was up there. He had to get it down. Cross knew there was most likely a first aid kit on the boat that might contain aspirin or other forms of medication. However, he didn't want to leave Marta to search for it. All Aaron could do for the moment was wait for Mario to return.

"You're going to be fine, Marta."Cross promised as he lightly touched the young woman's left hand.

Saying it out loud was a way for Aaron to keep himself focused. To keep the panic away. He had to believe she was going to be fine or he wouldn't be of any help. As long as the fever came down Marta would make a full recovery. He tried not to think of the odds. Tried not to worry about how he was going to get her to a hospital if things got worse. He would turn himself in to Byer if it meant Marta would recover and have a normal, happy life. Shaking his head at the dark thoughts Aaron resumed dotting Marta's face and neck with the cool towel. Being in the military and later an outcome agent Aaron had learned to think on his feet, use what was on hand and to always have options.

"Just rest, Marta."Aaron soothed.

The pluses to the situation were that they weren't stranded. They weren't alone and they had people who knew the area. People who had dealt with this disease possibly without the aid of modern medicine. A few minutes later Marta stirred. Aaron wasn't sure if it was the coolness of the towel or his voice. He was just grateful she was coming around.

"Marta?"Cross called quietly as he linked his left hand with hers. "Doc? Can you hear me?"

Finally Shearing's eyes fluttered open. Marta's sleepy gaze met his briefly before her eyes closed once more. Aaron squeezed his friend's hand before letting go and resuming his task. Even though it'd only been for a few seconds Marta being awake had given Aaron new hope. Hope that maybe just maybe once they got past this that their luck would change for the better.