If Lynley came downstairs and saw the state of his kitchen he would definitely collapse again thought Barbara. His cupboards had been ransacked, teas were no longer alphabetized, tins of beans and tomatoes were rotated so their labels were obscured from view. It was an organizational nightmare. But then she realized that Lynley's butler, Denton, had probably done all that. Tidying up before his weekend off. Lynley mentioned he and Nancy were off for a holiday in the country. She made a mental note to reorganize it before she left, she didn't need to leave a mess for him when he returned. She suspected Lynley often did in his younger years.

She found plenty of crackers in a hidden closet pantry. She selected a packet of plain salt ones, the kind her mother would give her with ginger tea when she was ill. She was careful to remove them without disturbing anything else on the shelves. There was too much to organize there. It looked as though it was stocked for a 3 month siege. His lordship would want for nothing when the apocalypse hit. She noted the few cans of soup, and cartons of bone broth before closing the door. Maybe Lynley could stomach that she thought. She ripped open the packet of crackers and shook a few out onto a plate then paused. Listening. It was quiet up there. Barbara hoped he had finally settled down. She didn't know if she could handle another encounter with her goofy and somewhat delirious boss. She dealt with that enough at home. She looked at her watch, Simon would be here in ten minutes. She crept up the stairs careful to avoid any creaky ones, but no squeaks emitted. Her staircase at home was like an alarm system. It came in handy as her mother often got up in the middle of the night needing a pee or wanting to go down the street to the travel agency for another exotic brochure.

Barbara peered into Lynley's bedroom. Lynley was spread eagled on top of the comforter, his long limbs stretched across the entire bed. Her boss would never carry his limbs that way, even in an unconscious state. He was very ill indeed. He had stripped down to his boxers and his chest rose and fell with his steady breaths in sleep. Lynley would DEFINETLY not flaunt his bare chest to anyone, let alone Havers. Eight minutes thought Barbara. His face was now drained of color except his nose and cheeks which were bright pink with fever. Sweat gleamed over his whole body. Five more minutes until Simon arrives. Barbara set the plate of crackers on the nightstand then plopped down in the armchair in the far corner of the bedroom. She picked at the skin surrounding her nails and watched Lynley closely. Still breathing. A key rattled in the lock downstairs then Barbara heard the distinct thu thump of Simon's crutches in the entry way. Barbara rose from her chair and scurried to the top of the staircase. She wanted to tell him everything that had happened, but found herself mute with relief to see someone who could handle this. She started down the stairs but halted when Simon looked up and waved her off. He hauled himself up the stairs dragging the crutches, his medical bag slung over his shoulder. A piercing smell suddenly invaded her nostrils. She lifted her shoes wondering if it was the vomit she'd stepped in. Then realized it was the smell of a doctor's office drifting up the stairs. She rubbed her shoulder, the smell of alcohol prep pads transporting back her to her most recent flu shot. Simon walked into Lynley's bedroom and stopped short taking in the sight of Tommy. Havers almost bumped into him, but she edged around him and stood on the other side of the bed like a spooked horse. Simon let his bag fall to the floor and leaned his crutches against the wall. He hobbled the last few steps to Lynley's side. He sat on the edge of the bed like a father tucking in his son. This wasn't Dr. St. James. This was Simon. Tommy's best friend, his old school pal. Simon pushed back a few sweaty locks of hair from Tommy's forehead and recoiled feeling the heat. Lynley stirred, but didn't wake. Simon changed tact and tapped sharply on his collarbone. He was rewarded when Lynley took a deep shuddering breath and cracked open one eye. His feverish eyes opened more and moved to Barbara then settled on Simon. A rock.

"Hey old boy," smiled Simon. Lynley smiled back, but still looked confused.

Simon took Lynley's temperature, then swabbed the back of his throat. Tears sprung to his eyes as he sputtered and coughed. Simon flinched at Lynley's reaction but looked away while capping the specimen and hastily wiping at his own eyes which had begun to water as well. He asked Lynley a few questions and when his jumbled answers weren't to Simon's satisfaction he asked Barbara a few more.

"How long has he been like this?"

"Like what?"

Simon sighed, a slight hint of frustration in the normally warm and cordial man. This was his best friend. He couldn't just detach from this case. It pained him to see Tommy so ill. Then he wondered if this was how Tommy felt every time he saw him. Did he see his best friend, Simon? Or did he just see the crippled leg?

"Disoriented? Weak?" said Simon regaining himself.

"It just hit him like a ton of bricks this morning. He picked me up, but wasn't focused on the road. Nearly killed us so I drove us back here. He's been feverish, disoriented, and silly."

"Silly?" smirked Simon. She had mentioned "goofy" on the phone and he wondered what Lynley had said to her. Lynley lay looking up at the ceiling, blissfully unaware or petrified from embarrassment. Simon suspected it was the latter.

"Yeah, childlike." Simon tilted his head. He knew Tommy to be quite petulant when he didn't get his way. "Not himself," clarified Barbara.

"I should say not," laughed Simon. "Well his temperature is 102. That's pretty high. If it climbs any higher we are going to have to get him into a cold bath. But for now," Simon set two red circular pills on the plate with the crackers. "Those ought to reduce his fever a little."

Barbara remembered the kettle sitting downstairs. She rose to fetch it, but not before Simon recommended she also soak a cloth in cold water and bring it through.

After settling downstairs and bringing a cold cloth, tea, water, and soup upstairs Simon suggested Barbara go home and rest. Barbara stood her ground and wrung his hands in front of her. Wasn't that what she wanted? To be relieved of command of this uncertain, awkward situation? No. She would see him better herself. They started this together, she would be there for all of it. Unless of course Lynley awoke and threw her out. He was the boss.

"Maybe just get a change of clothes then? It's going to be a long night."

Barbara nodded and set off for the tube.