Her eyelids had become heavy. She had been struggling to keep them open for several minutes, and it was then that she realized she'd read the same poem several times over, not really comprehending the meaning of it at all. Ben had long since been asleep, so she had stopped reading aloud. Miri closed the book, telling herself that it would just be a quick cat nap before she had to wake Ben again for another cup of the tea. Before she knew it, however, she had dozed off, and her book was slipping from her hand.

It fell to the floor with a dull thud, causing Ben to awaken. The sound had also roused Miri from her doze. In surprise, Miri rubbed her eyes with one hand while picking up the book with another.

"Oh," Miri said, seeing Ben awake. "I woke you. I suppose it is time for another cup."

"Splendid," Ben said with a croak.

Miri smiled as she rose to the tea kettle that had been resting on the space heater. After she poured a fresh cup, she brought it to Ben, who had risen to a seated position, with his feet planted on the floor.

"It gets stronger the longer it brews, but it's better that way. More effective." She handed it to him. "Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ben threw back the tea in one gulp, hiding his look of disgust. He already was feeling better, he had to admit, even though his throat still felt swollen and sore. He didn't feel nearly as run down. Miri took the cup from him and brought it back to the table for the next dose, when it was time.

"The chair isn't comfortable at all," Ben ventured. "I would feel just awful if you were uncomfortable at my expense."

Miri tucked her loose hair behind her ear, smiling nervously at the stone floor. "The chair is fine, Ben. Besides, you need your rest."

"Oh, rest I shall," Ben said with no hint of a lie. "But… and don't think me imprudent or improper… the bed can fit two. It's not a terribly comfortable fit, I know, but I would be remiss if I did not offer."

Miri stood mere feet from Ben, arms crossed. She bit the inside of her cheek pensively. "I wouldn't want to… I don't want you to think—"

"Think what?" Ben gingerly stood, still weak from the fever. "That you are trying to take advantage of me? If I can even stay awake…" Ben smiled, and placed a hand on Miri's upper arm. "I can see how it might give you pause, but I assure you, I just want you comfortable."

"Thanks, Ben." Miri instinctively placed her hand on his forehead again to feel his temperature. She moved the hand from his forehead to his bare waist, pushing him gently back down to the bed. "I told you if you exerted yourself the tea won't work. So stop standing."

Ben sat in defeat, sighing and looking after Miri as she busied herself with cleaning. She gathered the linens that had been soaking, and took them out back to cool in the night air. Ben watched as she hung them on a clothesline, illuminated in the warm light coming from the hut. She was stalling. Ben knew it, and she knew it.

She knew that it would have had completely different implications had Ben been well. She'd never slept in bed with a man before. She'd had a beau here and there since she was a teenager, but nothing had become too serious. This night she was paralyzed with fear—fear of the feelings that were so close she could almost touch them. After the sheets had been hung, she shook herself, and walked back into the hut determined to put her fear behind her.

Ben had laid back down on the bed, and had closed his eyes. Miri approached the bed, and quietly pulled her boots off, climbing into the bed behind Ben, sandwiched between him and the wall.

As Ben felt the mattress give behind him, he smiled, turning to his caregiver. Her face was strained, and she stared straight up at the ceiling of the alcove bunk. Her breathing was hitched, and her hands were resting on her chest, just above her heart.

Ben turned so that he was on his side, facing the nervous girl. He placed the tips of his fingers on the side of her jaw, gently turning her to face him.

When their eyes met, Miri thought her chest would burst. He leaned forward, fingers still gently touching her jaw line, and kissed her. As they kissed, Ben thought he couldn't believe how completely right it felt to do so. He had never thought this would be a feeling he could be afforded.

Miri tentatively brought a hand to Ben's exposed chest, and felt his overheated skin, and blondish chest hair. Feeling that the activity might be too much for him, Miri broke the kiss, and propped herself up on her elbow, allowing Ben to rest his head on his pillow. She took his hand in hers, and brought it from her face back down to his own chest, where she held it. Placing sweet kisses on his lips intermittently, Miri looked warmly into Ben's eyes. With a sigh, Miri put an end to her kisses, holding Ben's blue gaze.

"What you're doing for me. Thank you."

Miri smiled sadly. "You did the same for me. I… I know what you did for me. I'm just sorry I can't do that for you."

Ben sighed, looking upwards. "I had hoped you wouldn't remember."

"I don't," Miri said, in awe. "But Ben, I know my ribs were broken, or at least cracked. I know because I broke a rib once when I was about thirteen. Silly kid stuff. I was a rowdy child, and I kept company with boys." She paused to appreciate Ben smiling, no doubt picturing her as the tomboyish child she was. "But I sense that you healed me."

"You have more potential than I initially thought. I can't believe I didn't notice it until our lesson. I haven't exactly been… myself."

Miri looked into Ben's eyes and deliberated. She said nothing.

"What is it?"

Miri's mouth gaped open, and eventually she spoke. "I don't even know what you being you is like."

"How do you mean?"

"You know how, Ben." Miri's heart slowed, ironically. She had never felt more comfortable having this kind of conversation with someone. Though she was admitting how little she knew of Ben, she knew enough about what her senses told her about him. She knew he was undeniably good-natured. "I won't ask now, but I'm going to want to know more about you. And I know you're probably going to tell me that it's safer that I not know. But Ben, you told me the other day that you want to know me in whatever way I will allow. Can you blame me for wanting the same?"

Ben sighed, running his hand through Miri's hair, which was nearly falling in his face.

"I suppose I can't. I am not only trying to protect you, Miri. There are others whose safety depends on my discretion. And until I have trained you further, there are going to be questions you have that will go unanswered. I must ask you to be patient."

Miri nodded, placing a kiss on Ben's lips. "That's a tall order. For anyone else, I might object." She smiled as Ben blinked sleepily. "Now you must sleep, alright?"

Ben hummed in contentment as Miri laid her head down next to his, and rested her hand on his chest. "Yes, doctor." Before sleep overtook him, Ben wondered how through all the pain he had endured over the last six months, he could find such a promising glimmer of happiness.