Several hours later, Kate had managed to clear a patch of earth with some makeshift tools. Now for the fun part, she thought happily. In a few minutes she had restored the plants into the ground and sat back on her heels to enjoy their effect. She felt a tinge of remorse at having wasted her afternoon on something so inconsequential, but her sore muscles reminded her that she had done quite a bit of work for the camp lately, too, and that lessened her guilt.

Kate stood up, intending to go to the caves for water to bring back for the plants, but as she stood up she felt strangely light-headed. Maybe I'd better get some more water for myself, too, she thought. She steadied herself and continued on. Kate paused at the cave entrance, hoping she didn't have dirt all over her face in case Jack was there. What is going on with you?, she chided herself. Since when do you care about looking pretty?

Jack looked up as Kate walked into the caves. She caught his eye on her way to the waterfall, and he gave her a quick smile. He hadn't seen her at the beach earlier and his first impulse was to rush right over to talk to her. Talking with Kate was part of his daily routine now, and he had felt a strange emptiness when he hadn't seen her at the beach earlier.

Not wanting to appear desperate, though, Jack forced himself to wait a few minutes before approaching her. After all, he never minded watching her from afar either. She was just so… graceful. And beautiful. But he had to be careful; she had caught him last time, out in the jungle when she was collecting seeds.

Jack was just about to turn back to his inventory of the medical supplies when Kate stood up from filling her bottle. She swayed slightly and put her free hand up to her head, a pained expression on her face. Jack was on his feet immediately, steadying her with a hand on her elbow.

"Hey, you alright?", he asked softly, concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kate replied, attempting a smile. "Just the heat, I guess."

Jack wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? You look a little…"

"Dirty?", Kate supplied.

"I was going to say pale."

Jack was in full doctor-mode now, and Kate knew better than to argue with him. She didn't protest as he led her to the make-shift infirmary. His warm hand on her elbow made her skin tingle. This is not helping with the dizziness, she thought to herself.

Jack sat her down in an airline seat and crouched down in front of her. His trained eyes examined her face and she felt a little self-conscious. "You're definitely pale, Kate. How long have you been feeling dizzy?", he asked.

"Just for a few minutes. I'm fine, Jack, really. I just spent too much time in the sun."

"Well, heatstroke is nothing to laugh about. Just sit for a few minutes and drink some water while I examine you, okay?" Jack looked at her intently, waiting for the go-ahead. Kate had been prepared to protest a little more, but one look into Jack's kind eyes, and she lost all command of the English language.

She simply nodded in agreement, and Jack tenderly grasped her wrist to check her pulse. Kate could have easily told him it was racing, but she was pretty sure heatstroke had nothing to do with it.

"What's this?", Jack asked, noticing a dark red welt on the inside of her wrist.

"Nothing, just a spider bite." Kate was a little embarrassed at all the attention Jack was giving her over seemingly nothing.

"It's swollen. Does it hurt?", he asked, skimming his thumb over the delicate skin.

Not anymore, she thought, smiling inwardly. She realized he was still waiting for an answer. "It's a bug bite, Jack. I think I'll live."

"You're a terrible patient, you know that?", he remarked, grinning up at her. But suddenly his face turned serious.

"Kate, your pulse is racing." Before she even had time to answer his hands were on her neck, his fingertips delicately tracing her jaw. "Your glands are swollen, too."

"Jack, I--"

"You're not fine, Kate. I want you to rest here for at least an hour. And drink that whole bottle of water, too."

In truth, Kate was feeling a little strange. "Okay, but only for an hour," she relented, giving him a small smile.

"Good," Jack answered, relieved that she wasn't going to argue anymore. "I have to make a quick trip to the beach, but I'll be back soon."

"Okay," she answered, settling back into the seat and taking a sip of water. She watched Jack leave, then closed her eyes and tried to relax. I hope I'm not coming down with something, she thought. Although, I could definitely get used to Jack's bedside manner.