SUMMER 1943
KUCHING, SARAWAK, BORNEO
WORLD WAR II

One of the things that was difficult in captivity was the inability to distinguish time. It could be one in the morning or it could be ten at night. Without a watch or clock, it was hard to tell. The guards woke them every morning at six sharp. They were locked up by eight at night. They worked during the majority of the daylight hours.

So Lee didn't know what time it was. All he knew was that it was still dark outside and he was freezing to death. He grabbed his blanket and wrapped it around him like a shawl, drawing his body into a tight ball, trying to absorb as much body heat as he could generate.

Barney watched all of this from his bunk next to Christmas'. He took his own blanket and tossed it at Lee, who nearly jumped out of his skin when it hit. He leaned up and looked at the American who hissed back, "What's wrong with you?"

Lee grabbed the blanket and covered the rest of his body with it and answered, "You don't sleep?"

"You ignored the question," Ross countered.

"I'm fine. Just a bit of a chill."

Barney mimicked, "A bit of a chill? Bullshit."

"I'll be fine. I just need to sleep," Lee answered back, totally ignoring the teasing. Barney knew immediately the man was sick. But, he let him off the hook.

When the guards called them to work, Christmas was still out and snoring. Barney kicked at the bunk and got what he was sure was a growl. "C'mon, Limey." He deliberately used the derogatory term to get a reaction.

Christmas threw back the blankets and tried to stand. He staggered and would have fallen if Road hadn't caught him, "Damn, man, you're burning up."

Lee pushed back, "I'm fine. Just a…"

"Yeah, a bit of a chill, you said that last night. And, hell, Christmas, you're sweating like a whore in church. What's really going on here?" Barney questioned.

Lee dropped back down on the edge of the bunk, fighting the urge to shiver, "Pretty sure it's malaria. I had a bout after I first was assigned to the island and I recognize the symptoms." He stood up slowly, swaying again as he did, "I'll be fine."

The guards were starting to stare, so Barney grabbed the Brit by the arm and marched him towards the door, "You won't be fine. Between the fever and chills and the work, you'll dehydrate. That's a major problem."

"Look," Christmas grabbed Ross' shirt, stopping him in his progress, "help me get through the work day. Once I can eat and sleep tonight, I'll be better. I know how this works."

"You need medicine and rest. You need to be in the hospital," Barney argued.

"No," Lee was adamant, "Not hospital. Ross, don't make me beg."

The American made a face and then shoved the Brit forward, "We'll see how today goes. I won't make promises for tomorrow."

Lee expelled the breath he'd been holding and walked out the door.

The workday was rough. Barney knew Lee was pulling upon every ounce of reserve and guts he had not to fall on his face. He had tripped a couple of times but it seemed someone was always around to help. It wasn't just Ross or Road. Others who shared their barracks reached out to support their quiet leader. To Christmas, it seemed every time he turned someone was shoving water at him. When he would have grabbed rocks or wood, another person showed up to do the heavier lifting. Lee knew what was going on and he was embarrassed by the kindness and more grateful than he could ever express.

At day's end, Lee had somehow managed to convey his appreciation. He made it to his bunk and collapsed. Again, it was Ross standing over him, "You need to eat."

"I need to sleep," he answered back, wrapping up in the blanket.

"No, you need this." It was their Australian counterpart, Captain Widdell. In his hand he had a couple of pills and water.

Lee sat up, "I can't take those. You might need them."

Widdell shrugged, "Take it anyway." He grabbed Lee's hand and dropped the pills into them, nodded and walked away.

The Brit started to put them away but Barney stopped him with a growled, "Christmas."

"Damn, Yank, when did you become my mum?"

"When you decided you knew how to take care of yourself without any help," Barney smarted back.

"Nag, nag," Christmas answered, swallowing the pills with the water. It didn't take much and he was almost asleep. Ross shook his head but put his own blanket over the Brit. Lee smiled and said absently, "Gonna tuck me in, too, mum?" Barney turned on his heel and left the Limey snickering slightly.

Again, sometime, during the wee hours of the morning, Lee awoke. He had an overwhelming need to visit the latrine. He threw back the blankets, stood up and found himself face-to-face with the floor. Barney had been watching Christmas and when he fell, Ross was the first one there to drag him up. The American could tell that Lee's fever had skyrocketed. He was once again wringing wet with sweat and didn't fight when Barney put him back down on the bed.

He watched Christmas through the rest of the early morning, trying to keep him warm. He actually did tuck the blankets around him at one point, in hopes of helping keep more warmth on the sick man. When the guards called for the prisoners to start their day, Lee was still fitful. Road walked up behind his boss, "He's worse, isn't he?"

"Yeah."

"You've got no choice, Major. He can at least get some more medication and won't have to work if he's in the hospital."

"I know," Barney replied, "his concern is the treatment."

"I'm not unconscious," came a croaky response from the bed beside them. Lee pushed up, the chills racking his body. He was no longer able to hide them. "And I'd rather die than go to hospital." Christmas stood, haltingly. He swayed and, once again, would have fallen if Barney hadn't stood with him and caught his body against his own.

"Damn it, Limey," Ross hissed.

"What have I told you about that," Lee countered. They exchanged a glance and, just like yesterday, he pleaded, "I can get through today. I know I can. I'll be fine."

Ross nodded, "Yeah, you're right. You're going to be just fine."

"Thanks, Barney, I knew I could count on you," Lee patted the American's shoulder and pushed back from him. He tried to stagger away when Ross called his name. Lee turned back, "Yeah?"

"Sorry," Ross said in response and then clocked the man across the chin, knocking him out cold.

"Barney!" Road yelled, caught off-guard by the boss' actions.

"It's for his own good," Barney answered and then called for their guards, explaining that Christmas was ill with a case of malaria and needed to be taken to the hospital. The men dragged him out as the two Americans watched.

As they made the way to breakfast, Road spoke, "It may be for his own good but I sure don't want to be there when he wakes up." Barney gave him a quelling glance and Toll laughed, "Okay, hell, maybe I do," and they went to work.