Fever Ch. 5

When Kate and Hurley headed out at first light, Jack and Sayid were the only ones who knew exactly where they were going and why. Jack was there at the beach to see them off.

"Be careful," he said to Kate, adjusting her pack. "Remember what Sayid said about traps. If you don't find any sign of Rousseau by mid afternoon, head back."

"Don't worry," Kate said, jokingly. "Hurley will make sure we aren't in the jungle after dark."

"I mean it. Be careful, Kate." He reached out, pulled his hand back self-consciously, then reached again and tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

"Hey..like, I'll be careful, too, Jack," Hurley said, rolling his eyes.

"I promise," Kate gave Jack a small smile and headed off down the beach, Hurley lumbering after her.

Several more people had become sick overnight and Jack checked on them before turning his attention to those who seemed to be recovering.

"Morning, Sawyer," Jack said, kneeling down, "How are you feeling today?"

"Better, Doc. Like maybe what hit me was a pick-up 'stead of a semi. Where's Freckles? She's usually in here bright and early."

"Kate had something to do," Jack tried to sound disinterested.

"What'd be more important to her than followin' you around and fussin' over me and Mohammad?" Sawyer asked.

"She didn't say," Jack avoided Sawyer's gaze, and moved on to Sayid.

Sayid's fever was definitely down, thank goodness. The problem now, Jack knew, would be getting the man to continue to rest so that he didn't relapse. Hopefully Shannon could help with that.

"Hey," Jack said when Sayid opened his eyes. "Looks like your fever is almost gone. How do you feel?"

"Better," Sayid agreed. "But I will not be going on any jungle treks anytime soon."

"That's good to hear," Jack grinned at him. "I was worried you might try."

"Did Kate and Hurley go this morning?"

Jack lowered his voice. "Yeah, they left first thing. Hopefully they'll find Rousseau quickly," Jack looked over at Sawyer to be sure he wasn't listening. "I don't think this can be the sickness she told you about. Everyone is getting better, except for Sullivan, and that wasn't the virus, just his body's reaction to it. No one seems unstable."

"Yet," Sayid said, pointedly. "I think you should continue to monitor everyone closely. Even after we appear to be well."

"I won't take any chances," Jack agreed. "Are you hungry?"

"Not really."

"Still, it would be good for you to eat something," Jack looked around. "Sawyer and Claire should eat, too. Hey," he said to Steve. "Would you go and see if you can scrounge up some fruit and more water bottles?"

"Have you seen Shannon?" Sayid asked Jack.

"Not this morning. Doesn't she usually sleep late?"

"Yes, but I thought..."

"She was here the whole time. You were pretty out of it. Kate sent her away last night to get some rest." Jack hesitated.Should he ask Sayid about Nadia? If she had something to do with Rousseau the information might be helpful. Surely if that were the case he would have spoken of her before. Jack decided to let it go.

Just then Steve came in with some bananas, mangos, and several water bottles. Jack took one of each and told the younger man to split the rest between Sawyer, Claire, Rose, and any of the others who said they were hungry. Jack unscrewed the top on the water and gave it to Sayid.

"I'd better check on the others. I'm sure Shannon will be here soon."

Jack left Sayid and continued his rounds, walking over to sit by Rose. She was the oldest of the patients and the one he was still the most concerned about.

"You still have a fever," he said. "I'll have Sun get you more tea later. You should eat something, too."

Rose held up a mango. "Steve already gave me your instructions Doctor," she said. "And that tea tastes terrible."

"If it bothers you, you must be feeling better. Still, I want that fever down, so drink it, okay?"

"Yes, Doctor," Rose smiled and closed her eyes.

Charlie was sitting with Claire holding Aaron while Claire ate a banana.

"Hey, Jack," Charlie said brightly, "She seems better, don'tcha think? And the little guy here didn't even miss a meal. Good thing, he wouldn't have let any of us sleep."

"Don't bounce him so hard, Charlie," Claire said. "He just ate, and you don't have another clean shirt." she laughed.

Jack remembered his impressions of Charlie the day before, as well as Steve's comment that the musician was 'acting weird'. He watched him now. Charlie's eyes were darting everywhere around the cave, and he couldn't seem to focus on anything, including Claire or Aaron. Gone was the doting, fatherly look that had been on his face since he and Sayid returned with the child. Instead, Charlie looked anxious.

"Charlie, can I see you outside for a minute?" Jack asked.

"What for?"

"Just come with me, okay?" Jack walked to the door and looked back. Charlie handed Aaron to Claire and followed. Once they were outside Jack put a hand on the musician's shoulder. "Charlie, is there something going on I should know about?"

"What do you mean, Jack? Nothing's going on." Charlie jerked away from Jack's hand.

"Well, you seem nervous and jittery," Jack paused. "Almost like after the crash."

"What are you saying, Jack? You think I'm on something? Something missing from your precious stash and you think 'Oh, Charlie's a junkie, he probably took it?' Bloody hell! Did it ever occur to you that I've been worried sick about Claire?"

"Yeah, Charlie, that occurred to me, but it doesn't explain the way you've been acting."

"Where would I get drugs Jack, tell me that. We're on a bloody island in the middle of nowhere in case it slipped your mind."

"I know about the plane, Charlie," Jack said. "Sayid told me. He thought there might be a time we would need the heroin for something. He didn't know about your history and I didn't tell him. But if you're using again I don't want you anywhere near Claire and her baby. I don't want to tell her, but I will." Jack stared him down. "Get clean, Charlie. Get clean or don't come back here."

"I'm not bloody using!" Charlie drew close to the doctor and lowered his voice to a hiss. "And I'm not staying away from Claire!"

"You're lying," Jack said. "And if you don't want Claire to know everything, you'll stay away until you're clean. You did it once, you can do it again. Just give me your stash," Jack pleaded. "I'll help you...but you have to stop this. It's dangerous for all of us."

Charlie glared at Jack for a long moment, "Bugger off!" he yelled finally and stalked away. Jack was still watching Charlie when Shannon approached him.

"How's Sayid," she asked.

"Better. Much better. He was asking for you," Jack said. He noticed that the good news about Sayid's condition didn't erase the worry from her eyes."I told you he would pull through," he reminded her. That drew a small smile.

"Yeah, you did, thanks." Jack followed her as she went inside.

Shannon sat down beside Sayid's mat. He had finished the water and was dozing, but with none of the thrashing or mumbles of yesterday. She sat staring at him until his eyes fluttered open and he looked at her.

"Hi," she said softly. "Jack says you're feeling better."

"Yes," he struggled to a sitting position and leaned against the wall. "Were you able to get some sleep?"

"Yeah, a little."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Shannon shrugged her shoulders. "I was worried. I'm glad you're okay."

"You are upset about something. I can tell." Sayid took her hand, but Shannon pulled away.

"What is it? What is bothering you? Sullivan...dying...did it remind you of your brother?"

"No. Boone wasn't sick Sayid, he was murdered, remember?" she looked away.

"Tell me then...what's wrong?"

"Okay," she took a deep breath. "Who is Nadia?" Shannon watched his face. "You kept saying her name, her's and the French chick's. Who is she, Sayid?"

Sayid did not meet her eyes. "She is no one you need to be concerned with."

"I want to know. Tell me." she pleaded.

"I do not wish to talk about her right now."

"Why?" Shannon's voice quavered. "Is she your girlfriend? Your wife?"

Sayid's head snapped up and he glared at her. "I am not married."

"Whatever," Shannon spat. "Why do you carry her photograph? This is her, Nadia, right?" She showed him the picture.

"Where did you get that? Did you go through my things?"

"Kate found it when she was looking for the maps."

"Give it to me."

"How did it get burned? Why do you carry it? Just tell me who she is!"

"Shannon, you are getting upset over nothing." his tone was soft, cajoling. "Give me the photograph, go and get something to eat. Come back when you have calmed down."

"Were you ever going to tell me about her?"

"It did not seem necessary. There is nothing to tell."

"Nothing to tell but you carry her picture? And say her name when you're so out of it you don't even know I'm there?" she stared him down. "I want to know who she is...what she is to you." Shannon demanded.

Sayid's jaw set stubbornly. "Then we are at an impasse, and this conversation is over. I am tired. I think you should go." With that he rolled away from her onto his side.

"Fine, I'll go," Shannon threw the picture down and stalked out of the cave.