"So Doc," Sawyer asked, "you think she's gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I do. Actually, I'm impressed with how well she's doing already".

Sawyer shot Jack a skeptical look. "And by doing well, you mean collapsing out there in the woods?" he questioned, motioning towards the trees.

"With what she went through, that doesn't really surprise me. I'm actually more surprised that she made it as far as she did. With no transfusions or IV fluids available here, the most important thing right now is to get fluids and nutrients into her so that her body can replenish its blood supply. The fact she was able to keep that water down is a really good start. Other than that," he continued, "she'll just need to rest and take it easy for a while. Getting her to do that may be the biggest challenge".

Looking relieved, Sawyer stood up and brushed off his jeans. "Well then, I'd better head back to the beach, if you guys will be alright here", he said, turning to go.

"Well be fine. I think she'll probably sleep for a good long time. But Sawyer, the others are going to ask about her eventually. She obviously doesn't want them to know. It's going to be hard enough on her that we know".

"Whatever, it's none of their business anyway. We'll just tell them she caught a bad bug or something, that you want to keep her here and keep an eye on her for a few days."

"Yeah, I guess that's what we'll have to do" Jack agreed. "Alright, see you around Sawyer".

Sawyer waved over his shoulder, already headed in the direction of the beach. What a day this was turning out to be.

Jack folded up their now dry clothes and headed back into the cave. He found Kate still fast asleep, just as they had left her.

It was now early evening, and Kate still hadn't stirred. In a way, Jack was glad for that. Rest was what her body need now. Also, he didn't know how things were going to be between them once she did awake. Their relationship had been strained at best before, but now things would be much more complicated.

On the other hand, he was starting to go stir crazy after spending the entire day in the cave. He'd already inventoried and organized all his medical supplies, and read the better part of good-sized book. He didn't know how much longer he could take staying in this cave, but he didn't want to leaver her alone, either.

Regardless, he decided; if she didn't wake up on her own soon, he'd wake her. He wanted to check her over and get some food, water, and medicine into her before he turned in for the night.

Jack worked on starting a fire, and then set about heating water for tea. He had some fruit and dried meat, enough for tonight, but tomorrow he'd have to go and get some more food or have someone bring them some.

As Jack reached to put another log on the fire, he glanced over at Kate and saw, to his surprised, that she was awake and watching him. He brushed off his hands and headed over to her.

"Hey," he said softly, kneeling down in front of her, "have you been up long?" She shook her head in response, starting to sit up. He helped her up and fixed the blanket, and then sat down on the seat beside her, still looking her in the eye.

"How are you feeling?" Jack questioned. Kate shrugged and turned her head away.

"Kate, you're going to need to be a little more descriptive than that", he urged, reaching to feel her forehead for any sign of fever and then for her wrist to take her pulse. She was staring off into space now, seemingly lost in thought. Jack sighed, just watching her for a moment, trying to decide how best to approach this. He'd expected that this was going to be difficult on her.

"Kate". When she didn't respond Jack reached a hand up to her cheek, turning her head to face him. She jumped at his touch, recoiling, and he pulled back his hand.

"Hey, Kate. It's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

She took a deep breath and nodded slightly, indicating it was okay.

"Kate, you're going to have to talk to me".

She closed her eyes and sighed, then opened them and looked into his. "What do you want me to say?" she asked.

Jack smiled in relief. "Well, that's a good start. Why don't you try telling me how you're feeling."

She shrugged.

"With words, Kate", he urged.

"I don't know. I guess okay".

"Okay?" Jack questioned.

"Just strange, I guess. My head hurts a little, but other than that, not bad really. What time is it?"

"The sun just went down about half an hour ago".

"I can't believe I slept that long" she marveled, rubbing her eyes.

"You needed it. Are you hungry at all?" Jack asked, handing her a water bottle.

She shook her head and took a drink. Jack picked up a mango and begun to cut it. When she finished drinking he tried to hand her a piece.

Again she shook her head, refusing it.

"I know you're not hungry, but try some anyway. You need to eat something. If that stays down, then I want to start you on some antibiotics." He explained, placing the piece of fruit in her hand. "Just try a little, Kate."

After staring at it for a minute, she took a small bite of the juicy orange fruit.

"Good," Jack said "but you have to swallow it".

She gave him a pleading look, but then finally swallowed the fruit. He watched her expectantly. A look of panic crossed her face for a moment, but it stayed down.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked. She rolled her eyes at him in response.

"I know," he chuckled, "but try a little more". Jack got up and went to dig around in his medical bag. When he returned with two bottles, Kate had finished a good part of the piece of fruit. She handed the rest to him; clearly indicating that was all she'd have for now. Jack nodded and opened one of the bottles.

"Jack. I'm okay. I don't need anything, really. You should save them incase someone gets sick".

Jack looked at her, surprised. How could such a selfless woman be a killer? It just didn't seem possible. He shook the thought from his mind.

"You do need it, Kate. We have to be very careful. You seem to be doing okay now, but we don't want you developing any kind of infection. It's important. Besides, we actually have a fairly decent supply of antibiotics. Some of the passengers on the flight must have been well prepared."

He poured two pills into his palm and handed them to her along with a bottle of water. "Take them, Kate," he urged.

She nodded reluctantly and swallowed the pills and then looked up to see him opening another bottle.

"What are those?" she asked.

Jack looked up. "These are just painkillers".

"Really Jack, I don't need those; my headache isn't that bad. Please, save them for someone who might need them more latter."

Jack sighed and put the cap back on the bottle. "Okay, you win on this one. But remember, there still here if you need them later, alright?"

"Thanks" Kate said, yawning. Jack smiled. Her eyes were starting to droop.

"You getting tired?" he asked.

She nodded. "I don't know how," she laughed. "I've only been awake for twenty minutes".

"I know, but that's normal. Just lie back and let me take a quick look at you, then you can go back to sleep."

Kate shot him a look, but he ignored it, gently pushing her shoulders until she was lying down on her back. He gently palpated her stomach, feeling for any sign of problem. At a certain point she sucked in sharp breath, drawing Jacks eyes to her face.

"I'm sorry. A little tender there, huh?" Kate nodded.

"Does it hurt there when I'm not touching it too?"

Kate shrugged, "a little".

"Hmm," Jack responded, still feeling around. "I think it's probably normal to have a little soreness and cramping, but you need to tell me if it gets worse, okay?"

Kate nodded.

Jack looked at her seriously. "Kate, I'm serious here. I know you don't like this, but you're going to have to be open with me, okay?

She nodded again, meeting his eyes. "Okay".
"Good", Jack said covering her with the blankets as her eyes began to drift shut. "I'll be just over there at the fire, you just tell me if you need anything, okay?"

Kate nodded again, now barely awake. Jack gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder and walked back to his fire and tepid tea.