"You have been so generous," Lilly sighed as she stood with Janet and watched the men unpack the cart.

"It's just a few things from Ben's storage on Earth. We thought he would appreciate some tokens that will remind him of Earth," Janet smiled, moving slightly out of Sergi and Daniel's way as they carried a large crate into the cottage.

At first Lilly had been slightly annoyed to see the contingency from Earth but Janet and Daniel had manage to reassure her that they were not here to break their promise not to interfere, although Janet had insisted that if she thought that Ben's condition warranted any specialised treatment she would not hesitate to step in and offer her guidance. Lilly had bristled slightly but did eventually agree. She assured the visiting Doctor that her husband was now slowly improving and, after they had all eaten, she would take them to see him.

"The cottage looks lovely," Janet continued as the two women left the men to their labour and walked toward the ladies setting up lunch.

"Ben has worked so hard," Lilly sighed. "It has not been easy for him but, between his studies and duties at the hospital, he has worked tirelessly to get everything ready for us before winter hits. He worked to the point of exhaustion; I should have seen that..."

Janet stopped and laid a hand on Lilly's arm. "Oh no you don't, young lady," she tutted, knowing exactly where the conversation was going. "There is no one to blame for all of this. It was an accident, nothing more."

"I know, but..."

"Don't do this to yourself, Lilly. It was an accident. Ben is going to be fine, with time. Please, do not think for one minute that it was anyone's fault."

Lilly sighed heavily and then managed to smile shakily. "Of course, you are right," she nodded. "I am just so tired and have been so very worried."

"I know," Janet sympathised. "But you have done a wonderful job and Ben will be so proud of you."

"I hope so. I just want him to be better."

"He will be. It will just take time." Janet reached and tucked an errant curl behind Lilly's ear, hoping that her friend took comfort from her action and then closely inspected the young Mandanan "You look exhausted Lilly," she sighed noting the dark rings under Lilly's eyes and deeply furrowed brow. "Are you sure you are feeling alright yourself?" She asked, not liking the pinched expression of pain on her face.

"I am fine," Lilly sighed again. "I am just tired and hungry," she admitted.

"Why don't you rest for a few hours while we are here?" Janet suggested tentatively, not liking how Lilly swayed slightly as she ran trembling fingers through her hair.

"I will rest when my husband's condition improves." Lilly pursed her lips and then led the way to the picnic area. "Let's eat," she called over her shoulder. "I am eager to get back to Benjamin."

Janet shook her head, sighed and then quickly followed. She would make sure Lilly ate and would then try to talk some sense into her again.

Ben would need his Platon fit and well to care for him for the next few days and, if necessary, Janet would sedate Lilly for the afternoon to make sure she was refreshed before they returned to Earth.

If she would not let them help with Ben's treatment then the least they could do was to make sure Lilly was strong enough to carry on.

Xxx

Ben shifted slightly, hoping a change in position would ease the ache in his hips.

His head pounded and every inch of him hurt as he continued to battle the fever that still had a firm grip of his body. The suns that streamed through the window made the room feel stifling and didn't help his churning stomach and near migraine headache.

If he had the strength, he would call for someone to open a window or get him a drink but he felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

He had no idea what time it was, he had been aware of Helena's coming and going, taking his vitals and asking him questions but he just lay limply in a haze of illness wishing that Lilly were at his side assuring him that he would be fine.

He was so disappointed. When he'd woken up this morning, he'd felt so much better and confident that his condition had turned a corner but as the day progressed he had began to feel increasingly unwell again.

The haze of a soaring temperature made his vision waver and he tossed his head from side to side, wishing he could summon the strength to tell the Helena's, who had just entered his room, how ill and hot he felt.

Xxx

"What were his last vitals like?" Lilly asked Drena. She grabbed Ben's chart off the bottom of his bed watching her husband as he whimpered in distress and tossed and turned in the bed.

"His temperature has been climbing all morning," Drena sighed. "We have continued his medication regime but to little effect. Conrad ordered tepid wash down and ice packs half an hour ago when he registered a temperature of 102.4."

Janet stood to one side, allowing Lilly space to access her patient, itching to examine Ben herself but knowing that she'd promised not to. She had been shocked to see the condition her friend was in. Lilly had assured them that Ben was doing much better but the man in the bed looked very sick, very sick indeed.

Lilly studied Ben's chart for another few minutes before sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching for a damp cloth. "Ben, sweetheart," she gently mopped her husband's brow. "Can you wake up a little for me?"

Ben seemed oblivious to her urging as he continued to moan and toss his head.

"Ben, come on my love," Lilly persevered. "You have a visitor," she glanced over at Janet and gave her a shaky smile. "Doctor Frasier has come all this way to visit you and I have assured her that you are doing so much better. Don't let me down, my love."

When she had no response again, Lilly sighed and hung her head. "I don't know what to do," she mumbled as she shook her head. "I don't understand. He was doing so much better, he was sitting up, talking, I just don't understand."

Janet crossed to her side and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Do you want me to do anything, Lilly?" She asked softly and Lilly turned eyes full of tears to face her.

"I don't understand, Janet," she sniffed. "He was doing so much better. I should never have left him."

"Hush now," Janet soothed and reached to brush away the single tear Lilly was helpless to prevent falling. "These things happen and when they do you have to take a really deep breath and reassess the situation, try and look at things with fresh eyes and start again."

"I don't think I can," Lilly blinked and Janet fumbled in her pocket for her handkerchief and blotted the steady flow of tears that trickled down her cheeks.

"Of course you can," she smiled. "You have to, your patient needs you Platon."

"I can't..."

"Shh, yes you can. I believe in you Platon Ashton, so does your husband, you have to believe in yourself. Come on, take a deep breath, and dry your tears. Go through things again, I'll help if you need me to but I am confident that you can do this yourself."

Lilly stared at her for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes. "Okay, let's go again," she nodded after clearing her throat. "We'll start with his vitals..."

Janet retreated to the back of the room and watched, with a smile on her face as Lilly became a Platon again.

In no time, drug regimes were altered, fresh medication added and Ben's restlessness lessoned as his temperature began to drop. And, when he sighed deeply and soft snores replaced his whimpers and moans Lilly turned to Janet and smiled.

"Good job, Platon Ashton," Janet beamed back as she crossed to the bed. "See, I knew you could do it," she said and placed her hand on Ben's forehead, happy to only feel only a slightly raised temperature. "You just needed to..."

"J'net."

Janet turned just in time to catch Lilly as she began to sway. "Easy, easy," she soothed as Lilly went limp in her arms.

"I need help in here!"

Xxx

"Hey." Daniel stood at Janet's side watching her smooth Lilly's blankets as the young Platon slept on. "I just heard, is she going to be alright?"

"She's going to be just fine," Janet flashed him a quick smile. "She was exhausted, her blood sugar far too low, so I've ordered a glucose drip and a sedative."

"And Ben?" Daniel patted Janet on the shoulder before crossing to his friend's bedside. "He looks awful," he sighed.

"Well," Janet gathered her things together and crossed to join him. "He's doing better than he was earlier," she nodded confidently. "He's still got a long way to go but Lilly changed his antibiotic and he is resting comfortably now."

Daniel placed the back of his hand on Ben's forehead. "He's pretty hot."

"And he will be for a while. Come on Daniel, you've had pneumonia before, you know how dreadful it is."

"Yeah," Daniel winched at the memory of the lost week he spent in the infirmary battling the high fever that went hand in hand with the battle to breathe. "Yes I do," he nodded and then turned to Janet. "Listen, I know you're loathed to leave them but..."

"But it's time to go." Janet completed his sentence.

"I'm afraid so. Niall is waiting with the buggy outside. Our return slot is in half an hour."

Janet nodded, straightened Ben's covers and then did the same with Lilly before picking up her bag again. "I just want to have a word with Conrad before we go," she smiled. "I don't want Ben to know we came to interfere," she shrugged. "I don't think he will be happy if he knew."

"We could just let him know that we hopped over with a few housewarming gifts," Daniel suggested. "I'm sure he won't mind us doing that."

Janet reached and patted his shoulder. "How about we let that be a surprise for when he returns home, hey?"

Daniel began to nod slowly. "That is a very good idea, Doctor Fraiser," he agreed with a grin.

"Why thank you Doctor Jackson," Janet bowed slightly. "Right then, let's go find Conrad and we'll leave Lilly a good bye note."

"After you." Daniel stepped to one said and allowed Janet to lead the way out of the room, pausing at the doorway to watch the Platon Astons sleep.

Time would heal them both, of that he was certain.

Xxx

"Are you sure she's going to be okay?" Hanah sat at her daughter's side, stroking her hair as she slept.

"She is going to be just fine," Greta assured as he pulled up her covers. "She is exhausted and stressed," he explained and turned to check the IV of fluids he'd set up, feeling rather proud of himself. "We will let her rest," he looked up and smiled. "She will feel much better soon," he promised and pulled the curtains round from the bed so Lilly could see her husband when she woke.

"And, Benjamin?" Hanah asked as they both watched the sick man sleep.

"Benjamin is very lucky," Greta sighed.

"But, he's going to be okay?"

"I am not sure," Greta admitted shaking his head as he crossed over to Ben's bedside. "Doctor Frasier seemed to be pleased how things were progressing before she left and his breathing is much easier," he confirmed, placing his hand on Ben's chest. "He still has a fever but is much calmer," he turned and flashed Hanah a shaky smile. "God's willing he will recover now. The boy has been through so much," turning back to Ben; he brushed his sweat soaked fringe out of his eyes.

They both silently tended to the two sleeping patients and sent out a pray to those who watched out for them.

Hanah broke the moment in the end. "You should return to Mari, Greta," she sighed and stretched. "I will stay with Lilly and Anton is caring for Benjamin," she stood and moved to her friend's side. "You have been wonderful," she tenderly kissed him on the head. "But it is time for you to rest," she nodded. "I think it would be hard for Drena to fit another bed into this room, if you do not," she added, patting his arm on the way back to her daughter's side.

Greta nodded slowly. "You are right, my dear," he conceded. "I am tired."

"Then go, rest," Hanah chuckled and then reached for Lilly's covers when she dislodged them as she turned onto her back. "We have them," she assured, stroking the sleeping girl's forehead as she settled back down with a sigh.

Greta crossed to Hanah, kissed her on the cheek and grabbed his coat. "I will return in the morning," he bowed.

"Sleep well, my friend," Hanah turned and smiled.

"Take care of them," Greta said as he made his way out of the room. "They are very special," he added, closing the door behind him.

"They certainly are," Hanah sighed and comforted her daughter when she whimpered in her sleep. "Just rest, my love," she whispered and sat back as Lilly settled once more.

She then watched over them both as they slept on, keeping their hearts in hers and hoping that better days were on the horizon.

Xxx

Ben slowly reached over and petted his wife's hair. He'd woken to find Lilly fast asleep at his bedside with her head resting on his pillow.

The sight of the IV coming out of the back of her hand and the fact that she had scrubs on added up to the fact that his wife was still not well. He was informed that she had collapsed from exhaustion when he'd woken up the night before and had fallen back to sleep watching her toss and turn in restless slumber. He was amazed she'd held it together so long and longed to hold her and assure her things were going to be okay but he felt so hot so knew his temperature was pretty high and the growing need for someone to remove the oppressive blankets forced him to give his wife a slight shake.

He pulled his oxygen mask off, knowing the need for it was lessoning now the fluid in his lungs was resolving. "Lilly?" he called, softly.

Lilly mumbled slightly and turned her head but settled down to sleep again.

"Lilly, my love," Ben persisted. "I need you to move, sweetie."

Lilly grunted and Ben carried on shaking her gently. He was beginning to get dizzy because he was so hot and when Lilly groaned and then managed to push away from the bed he smiled warmly at her.

"Hey, you," he greeted.

"Ben?" Lilly mumbled as she tucked her hair behind her ears and started to knuckle her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Ben sighed. "But I needed you to wake up."

Lilly was immediately wide-awake. "What's wrong?" She asked urgently.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Ben reassured as he pulled at his blankets.

"No you're not," Lilly was on her feet, fussing over her husband.

"I'm fine," Ben repeated. "Honestly, I'm just a bit hot," he admitted as he managed to toss his covers to one side.

Lilly's hand was on his forehead in a flash. "You have a fever," she tutted.

"I know," Ben, sighed. "But it's to be expected, please sit back down before you fall down. I'm okay."

Lilly glanced round the room. "I need the thermometer," she mumbled.

"Lilly, just sit back down," Ben begged. "I'm okay," he repeated, grabbing her hand when she finally did as she was told. "How are you doing Lilly?" He asked as he watched her take some cleansing breaths.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Lilly stuttered. "You're the one that's sick."

"And you're the one that collapsed."

Lilly gave her husband a quizzical look. "I did?"

"Yes. You did," Ben nodded and ran his hand over his sweat soaked face.

Lilly glanced down at her own hand and then at her clothing. "Oh," she sighed. "I don't remember," she lifted her hand, examined the cannula in the back of it, and then held it up. "Who did this?" She asked as she shook her head.

"Anton said that Greta did," Ben said as he inched up in bed slightly. "He said that you passed out and Quinny sprang into action," he grinned, resting his head back onto his pillows.

"He did?" Lilly traced the tubing back to the IV stand. "I don't remember," she mumbled again.

"You have slept for nearly a whole day," Ben nodded toward the other bed in the room. "Quinny thought you'd like to be close and your mother just left your side."

Lilly glanced over her shoulder at the crumpled linen on the bed. "Oh," she said when snippets of memories returned. "I did pass out," she admitted with a sigh. "Sorry," ducking her head she apologised.

"Nothing to be sorry about, my Lilly," Ben assured and then placed his hand on his forehead to gauge his own temperature. He then turned his head so he faced his wife again. "I could do with someone to fetch me some Tylenol," he admitted and let his hand flop back onto his bed.

"Yes, of course," Lilly stood, gathered up her lines and pushed her IV pole to the door. She smiled at Anton who was just leaving the ward. "Can you fetch Ben some Tylenol," she asked. "His temperature is up again."

Anton shook his head and tutted. "You should be in bed Lilly Ashton," he scolded. "We are caring for Benjamin. I was just on my way back in with his medication," he stated with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

"Sorry," Lilly ducked her head and grinned. "I'll let you carry on and tend to him then," she stated, turned and made her way back into bed.

Ben chuckled as he watched her slowly push her IV across the room. "Busted, hey?" He called.

Lilly crawled into bed, plumped her pillows and leaned back; her position now mirrored her husband's. "Yup," she shrugged in confirmation.

Ben continued to chuckle softly. "It's your turn to take your medicine now," he stated as Greta then rushed into the room.

"What were you doing out of bed, Lilly Ashton," the Platon stood with his hands on his hips and glared at his patient.

"Ben needed me?" She ventured softly.

"She was sleeping at my bedside," Ben called from his bed.

"Sneak," Lilly, snapped.

"Yes, well, we have had words about this," Greta smoothed Lilly's covers. "You are to stay in bed until your drip finishes. You were unconscious for quite a while and are obviously exhausted," he sighed. "You need to do as you are told, we have been caring very well for Benjamin, haven't we, boy?" He turned and glanced at the other patient in the room who was lying limply on his bed with his eyes closed.

"Uh, huh," Ben mumbled with a grin on his face.

"We have changed his lines and administered his drugs," Greta continued, omitting the part where Janet had actually drawn up the next phase of treatment. "He has been resting while you've slept," he paused and gave Lilly's bag of fluid a squeeze. "He is comfortable and we have him," he then smiled at his protégé who also now had her eyes closed.

"Mind you," Ben cleared his throat and called over. "If somebody doesn't do anything about my fever," he sighed. "She'll be jumping out of that bed, insisting on giving me a bed bath, not that I'd complain," he shrugged and massaged his aching temples.

Lilly snorted in response. "For goodness sake, someone put him out of his misery," she chuckled and turned onto her side. "All his complaining is keeping me awake," she sighed.

"Your sympathy is overwhelming," Ben grouched as Anton appeared at his side and inserted the thermometer into his ear.

"How quickly you forget how sick I am," Ben continued.

Lilly was then aware of Anton profusely apologising as she drifted off to sleep.

"102.4, Lilly," Ben called over. "Hope you're happy now?" When his question was then greeted with soft snoring he rested his head back and smiled, contented to let somebody other hand his wife tend for him.

The Mandana race was learning fast now.