"Is that it?" Greta glanced over at Lilly who was attaching a bag of milky liquid on to the tubing that lead directly to Ben's stomach via his nose.

"I think so," Lilly replied, shakily.

She'd rushed back to find her husband still very weak and barely conscious. Greta was at his side and had been studying medical book after medical book so he was able to assist Lilly in this new and nerve wracking procedure.

The fact that Ben gagged on the tube as it was inserted didn't help their peace of mind. Lilly had paused several times, contemplating whether she should withdraw or not, but after much coaxing to drink and swallow Ben had relaxed enough to allow Lilly to complete the uncomfortable task.

He was now propped up in bed, panting with exhaustion, a bowl on his lap in case he vomited again. Lilly double checked the flow of the white liquid feed and then picked up cloth. "How are you doing, my love?" she asked as she blotted the sweat off his face.

"Is it done?" Ben mumbled and closed his eyes. His chest felt tight and his coughing had increased due to the foreign tube in the back of his throat.

"All done," Lilly smiled and pulled Ben's covers up when he began to shiver slightly. "You did so well," she praised and continued to wipe his face.

"You did," Ben muttered. "That is...so...hard...to...do," he told her, knowing that he hadn't been able to help much as everything had been greying in and out the whole time.

Lilly kissed his forehead. "I learned from the best," she smiled tenderly and Ben managed to return the smile.

"Is everyone alright b...ack on...?" Ben's question petered out when he began to cough violently.

"Everyone is fine," Lilly reassured him as she sat at his side and gently rubbed his chest. "Try and calm down," she urged and plucked the bowl out of his limp hands and helped him when he began to gag and vomit again. "You're doing so well," she praised when Ben then managed to take a couple of deep breaths.

"Gross," he groaned and leant his head back with a sigh.

"You need to sleep now," Lilly urged gently, mopping his brow again.

"Uh, huh," Ben mumbled. There'd be no argument from him as he felt totally wiped out.

"I'll be right here," Lilly comforted and watched her husband lose his fight to stay awake.

Greta stood and watched the exchange with a smile of pride on his face.

The Platon Ashton's were becoming a wonderful team.

Xxx"

So, what do you propose Doctor Fraiser?"

General George Hammond leaned forward and gave his Chief Medical Officer his full attention.

Janet had asked to see him after reviewing Ben's sample results.

"Mandana is due to check back in with us in tomorrow for Ben's results and I would like to go and check in with Lilly personally."

"Oh? Are you concerned about the results?" The General frowned. He knew that Janet was close to Ben but was surprised that she wanted to check things out for herself as she had agreed, all be it reluctantly, with Lilly that Earth should not intervene with his treatment.

"No, I mean yes, I mean not really but..."

"But?"

Janet sighed heavily, knowing that the blood and sputum samples results were abnormal but not critical enough to warrant her proposed emergency visit. "I'd just like to be on hand if Lilly needs me," she shrugged with a smile.

"And, do you think she will need you?"

Janet ducked her head and picked at a loose thread on her skirt. "No I don't, sir," she admitted softly. "I'm confident that she is more than capable to treat her husband."

"And, what do you think you will achieve by being there?"

"Um..." Janet glanced up and shrugged again. "I just want to check in with him, sir."

George sat back in his chair and echoed her sigh. "I do appreciate how you feel, Doctor – I really do but, the Mandanans have not requested our help in this matter and we should respect their wishes."

"I know that sir, but I just want to lend my support if Lilly's needs it."

"Justifying a sanctioned mission with Washington is going to be very difficult unless I can prove that it is warranted. Just to 'pop' over to lend support is not going to cut it, I'm afraid."

"I know, but..." Janet sighed once more.

"They only way I can truly give the go ahead would be if I can convince them that the benefits out weigh the costs. Can you think of any other reason you would need to make the trip? Any medical advancement we may gain in return?"

"Well," Janet thought for a moment. "I think that maybe we could benefit from a sample of the pain killing herbs Ben mentioned at the last check in."

"Is there a reason why a sample cannot just be sent through the gate?"

"Well, I think that if I took a small team of technicians we could do the testing there and then and save another check in at a later date?" Janet shrugged again. "It could be a major breakthrough, sir," she added tentatively, knowing that she was distorting the truth slightly, okay, more than slightly.

George sat back again, nodding knowingly with a slight smile on his face. "I concur, Doctor. May I also suggest that Doctor Jackson makes the trip with you as I understand that there was a report of unusual writing in the mines," he winked as he reached for his file.

"Yes, yes of course," Janet beamed. "I think that that would be very beneficial, sir," she agreed.

"Okay, I am sure I can sanction this. I will update you with a time after I have spoken to Washington."

"Thank you sir," Janet smiled as she pushed up out of her chair. "Do you want me to liaise with Doctor Jackson?"

"No, I will call him in next," George nodded and went to pick up his phone. "Oh, Doctor Frasier," he called as he watched Janet turn to leave.

"Yes sir?" Janet paused in the doorway.

"I suggest that you do not involve yourself in Platon Ashton's treatment unless it is absolutely necessary. We have promised not to intervene."

"Yes, sir," Janet nodded slowly.

"As long as that's clear."

"Yes, sir. Crystal, sir."

"Fine, I will make the arrangements and we will meet one hour before your slot."

"Thank you sir."

"Dismissed."

George watched as Janet smiled and then hurried out of his office. He could understand how she felt; they were all very fond of the young medic. He just needed to 'fudge' a few details with Washington so he took a deep breath and picked up the phone...

Xxx

Over the next twelve hours, Ben began, slowly but surely, to regain strength. At first Lilly had been worried about the amount of time he spent sleeping but when he managed to stay with her for twenty minutes yesterday evening she'd relaxed in the knowledge that she'd made the right call in regards to the N.G. feed. He was still running a moderate fever and his cough was bothersome but intensive physiotherapy by Drena had started to help clear his lungs. All in all his condition was improving and when Lilly walked in to his room after she'd agreed to leave his side to try and get some rest, she was pleased to see that not only did he seem better but he looked better too.

"Hey, you look great," she beamed as she perched at his side and took his hand in hers. Her other hand reached and stroked his cheek. "Drena said she was going to give you a shave if you felt up to it!"

"Uh, huh," Ben mumbled as he fiddled with the prongs on his nasal cannula and Lilly tapped his fingers.

"Leave that alone," she scolded, though the smile on her face took the sting out of her irritation at her husband's fiddling.

"It's sore," Ben glared at her but had the sense to drop his arm when she glared straight back.

Lilly then reached for some cream off the cabinet. "I know it's sore," she sighed as she smeared a small amount round his nostril. "But your nose is going to get even sorer if you don't stop playing," she tutted and then tossed the tube back on to the table and watched Ben sigh and flop his head back onto the pillows.

"It's not going to be forever, Ben," she sighed again.

"Feels like it."

Lilly studied her husband again. The dark circles under his eyes showed how fatigued he still was. The rapid breathing showed that his lungs were far from healed and the blush of fever showed that his body was still trying to fight the infection. No wonder he seemed so despondent.

"You're doing so much better, my love," Lilly encouraged but Ben just shrugged in response before burying a cough into his pillow.

When the cough become continual, Ben leaned forward and started to gag. Lilly plucked a tissue off the table and helped her husband spit out the awful globs of mucous. She then gently eased his head back and poured him a glass of water.

"Small sips," she urged as she angled the straw into his mouth and sat in silence as Ben slowly drank and managed to control his breathing.

"Thanks," he sighed when he'd finished the water. When he rested his head back again to allow his wife to mop the sweat off his brow he felt tears spring into his eyes at her gentleness.

"I'm sorry, Lilly," he reached up and cupped her face. "You shouldn't have to do this," he smiled sadly. "I don't want to be a burden..."

"Now, you look here, Benjamin Ashton." Lilly threw the sponge back into the bowl and picked up both of his hands. "You are so not a burden," the sharp tone to her voice showed her annoyance towards his stupid statement. "It was an accident, nothing more."

"I should never have been on the roof on my own," Ben ducked his head.

"There is that," Lilly tipped his chin. "But your intentions were good, you were doing it for us and if anyone should be sorry then it's me."

Ben shook his head. "How do you figure that?"

"My place should have been at your side. We should have been working together."

"There was other more important things that you needed to do."

"There is nothing more important than us," Lilly tenderly stroked her husband's cheek. "Nothing more important than our lives together, we both lost sight of that," she smiled sadly and Ben returned the smile.

"Yes, you're right," he nodded. "We kinda made a mess of things didn't we?" He sighed as he indicated the tubes and lines coming out of his body.

"Well, I actually think we will look back and decide that a lot of good came out of it," Lilly shrugged.

"You mean that being so ill has its benefits?" Ben grinned mischievously, though he knew exactly where this conversation was going.

"Well, we have learned much through your misfortune," Lilly grinned back, her mind working exactly the same way as his. "If you had not fallen off of the roof, we would not know how to do all this and that is a blessing," she added, knowing full well that was just what her husband wanted to hear.

"Well done, Platon Ashton," Ben beamed in delight. "You are catching on to my plan now."

Lilly shook her head and chuckled. "Do you mean that you plan to catch every illness going and injure yourself in any way you can so we learn the correct treatment?"

"Exactly!" Ben's attempt to fold his arms ended in another coughing spell.

"What am I going to do with you, Benjamin," Lilly sighed as she rubbed his back. "You are incorrigible, young man."

After catching his breath, Ben rested back again and closed his eyes. He was feeling tired again and when he yawned his wife quickly got the message.

"I'll leave you to sleep," she reached and carded her fingers through his hair. "Do you need anything before I go?" She asked tenderly and Ben opened one eye.

"Where are you going? I thought you had a shift today."

"I swapped with Anton," Lilly informed him and picked up the stethoscope. "I'll just do your vital signs before I go," she started listening to his chest.

"Still congested," she sighed and picked up his chart. "Looks like you need another dose of antibiotics," she mumbled to herself and Ben snagged her sleeve.

"You didn't answer me, where are you going?" He asked again, knowing very well that Lilly was stalling the answer by resorting to being his Platon. "Lilly?"

Lilly held the chart over her face. "I'm going to help fix the roof," she mumbled and Ben pushed the chart down so he could see his wife's face.

"What was that?"

Lilly sighed heavily and placed the chart onto the bed. "Niall and Quinny have arranged a gang of worker's to come and finish off our house."

"Lilly..."

"I know that's not what you want but it is a necessity," Lilly carried on but avoided her husband's gaze. "You are not going to be well enough for many months and..."

Ben placed his hand on his wife's arm. "It's okay," he smiled and Lilly's head snapped up in surprise.

"It is?"

"Yes, I understand."

"But..."

"We have wonderful friends.

"We have," Lilly, grinned.

"But, you have to promise me one thing?"

"Anything."

"You're not to let Niall go up the ladder, or Quinny come to think of it, especially if he's had too much wine."

Lilly laughed and then leaned in and kissed her patient's forehead. "I love you," she whispered as she drew away.

"I love you too," Ben's response ended in a yawn and Lilly then helped him settle down in bed.

"Sleep, my love," she urged and pulled his covers up to his shoulders.

"Yeah," Ben nodded and shifted slightly so he was more comfortable. "Be careful," he mumbled on the cusp of sleep.

"We will," Lilly promised and then kissed him one more time.

After checking his IV and oxygen, she left her husband to sleep.

Things were improving now and she was looking forward to spending the afternoon with family and friends, knowing that her husband seemed finally on the mend.

Xxx

Niall sat in his buggy and waited for the Stargate to open. He'd been at Lilly and Ben's cottage helping Sergi and Greta fix the roof and had almost forgotten about his trip to check in with Earth for his friend's results. When he had realised the time, he'd dropped everything and made his way to the 'Gate as quickly as possible.

He felt as helpless as everyone else did as Ben fought his injuries and illness. There was not much they could do to help Lilly treat her husband, other than pray, but one thing they could do to help reduce the stress for the young couple was to prepare their cottage for the coming winter.

He only hoped that whatever Lilly was doing was helping Ben but when the Gate whooshed into action and he watched Janet and Daniel step though he was immediately concerned.

After quickly hopping down from the cart, he strode over to the incline that led to the gate. "Doctor Jackson, Doctor Fraiser," he greeted with a shaky smile. "Is everything alright? Is there a problem?"

Janet shook her head as she walked towards him. "There is no problem, Niall," she smiled reassuringly. "We have only come through on a research basis. Ben's test results are satisfactory."

"You worried me," Niall sighed.

"I know, sorry," Janet reached and patted his arm. "Doctor Jackson and our team are here on another mission so we thought we would bring with us some small household gifts for Lilly and Ben, give them to them personally if that is possible." She turned to the gate where Daniel and her small medical team were gathering the crates that Stargate Command sent through the gate with them. "I'm glad you have such a large cart," she returned her attention to Niall and smiled warmly. "I think we have perhaps gone over the top with the gifts," she shrugged.

Niall grinned. "I think you may have," he agreed. "But your timing is perfect; we are all helping fix their cottage roof for them today. If you have any time between your researches, we will be grateful for your help."

"I am sure we will make time," Janet smiled as they then walked towards the gate. "My research will not take me long and Daniel will only need to check in with Sergi about the mine. We will have the rest of the day to help."

"Then you have come at the right time," Niall nodded and then held his hand out to Daniel. "It is good to see you, Doctor Jackson," he greeted.

"You too," Daniel smiled. "How's Ben?"

"He is as well as expected, according to Lilly," Niall confirmed with a sigh. "She seems confident."

"Good, good," Daniel nodded slowly. "He is in the best hands, I am sure."

"Indeed."

"Right." Janet stood with her hands on her hips, surveying all the boxes. "We need to get these over to the cottage, we can check in with Lilly later." She reached for the handle of the closest box and Niall took the other. "Let's go," she smiled and they both lifted the heavy box.

After ten minutes of back breaking lifting, they had the cart loaded and were ready to depart.

"Lilly is going to be very surprised to see you," Niall stated as he picked up the reigns and clicked his horse on.

"We are not here to interfere," Daniel informed him as they started on their journey.

"Of course not," Niall grinned and winked knowingly. He knew exactly why their Earth friends were here, research was obviously a rouse to check in on Ben and he knew that Lilly, deep down would be very grateful for their personal support, even though it would only be for a few hours.

He chuckled as Daniel and Janet then shrugged at each other in response to his statement. Niall urged his horse on again.

It was great to have them here.

Xxx

"Ma," Lilly smiled as she crossed the field to where her mother and her friends were setting up lunch for the workers helping fix their cottage roof.

Hanah greeted her daughter with a hug. "How is Benjamin today?" She asked.

"He is much improved," Lilly kissed her mother on the cheek and beamed. "He is sitting up and chatting and Drena even gave him a shave," she continued to smile as she helped uncovered some of the vast containers laid out of the wooden tables.

"That is wonderful!" Hanah gushed as she accepted a jug of juice of Mari. "Things will soon be back to normal, Lil," she nodded as she poured the juice.

"He has to rest and do as he's told but, I do see hope now," Lilly glanced up and smiled at her mother.

Hanah placed the jug down and pulled her daughter into her arms again. "Your father and I are so proud of both of you," she stroked Lilly's long hair when she willingly let her mother embrace her. "You both are so strong and you can now look forward to a long, happy life together."

When she felt Lilly's tears on her shoulder, Hanah rocked her gently. "You did so well, my love," she soothed. "You have made us so very proud," Hanah looked over her daughter's head and watched Mari dab at her own tears. "I do believe we will need another handkerchief," she chuckled, as she was powerless to prevent her own tears from falling.

"When you ladies have finished..."

All three turned at the sound of Sergi's voice.

"We could do with a break and refreshments."

"And wine," Greta interjected as he held the ladder for his friend.

"And Mari's pie," Pastor Has added.

Hanah, Mari and Lilly then burst out laughing.

"I think we'd best feed the men," Mari nodded and then all three women started to put the final touches on the feast.