"Please, Nyssa."

Nyssa sat on her bed and leaned over Sara as she pressed a cold washcloth to her forehead. Sara's face was flushed with fever and she whimpered as Nyssa drew the cloth down her cheek. A coughing fit racked Sara's body and Nyssa dropped the cloth to rub her back.

When it subsided Sara looked up at her with such need and sorrow. She knew she could never resist indulging Sara, especially now. Nyssa nodded and placed the cloth in the bowl on her nightstand.

Sara reached out to lock her arms around Nyssa's neck, but her grip was loose. Nyssa put her arm around Sara's shoulder to hold her up. She gave into her Beloved's request and grabbed the blanket to pull it with her as she put her other arm under Sara's legs. Nyssa picked her up and turned around to sit against the headboard with Sara resting in her lap.

Nyssa tucked the blanket around her legs as Sara tucked her head in Nyssa's shoulder. She could feel the heat from Sara's forehead, but Sara let out a breath and sighed in her arms. A soft smile appeared on Sara's lips and Nyssa brushed her hair back, massaging her scalp and running her fingers through her hair.

Sara breathed in unsteady breaths as the respiratory illness ravaged her already weak lungs. She had barely recovered from the dry drowning she had when Nyssa found her in the waters of Lian Yu. Sara's sickness now was just a small reminder of how broken her Beloved was, but Nyssa was determined to make her whole.

Sara settled further into her arms and grabbed onto the collar of her shirt. Holding on with a death grip, she knew that Sara would never let go. Nyssa grabbed the book of poetry that she had been reading from the nightstand and opened it to where she had left off before Sara had awakened.

Nyssa leaned down to kiss Sara's forehead before she began reading out loud. As she suspected, it seemed to soothe Sara and her eyes fluttered close. She kept her fingers silent as she slipped to the next page. As Nyssa read, Sara let out a labored breath and she brushed away the hair from Sara's face. Her cheeks were still flushed and hot but at least she was able to get some rest.

Only moments later, Sara coughed and woke up. Her single caught dissolved into a coughing fit and her whole body shook. Nyssa dropped the book and reached for the nebulizer, starting it and holding the mask against Sara's face. Sara looked up at her and Nyssa could see the pain in her eyes. The coughing fit seemed to last for hours, before Sara collapsed back against her, still trying to catch her breath.

Nyssa was so tempted to take a cup of Lazarus water from the pit, just a few drops Sara's suffering would be over. Still, they had both vowed never to touch the waters, and given its effects, it was a vow she could ever break. So Nyssa just held Sara closer and prayed that her suffering would be over by morning.

Nyssa groaned as she awoke, opening her eyes to see the morning sun filtering in through the windows. The sun provided light as the candles had long since burned out. Nyssa's back was sore and her legs were numb from holding Sara all night and she stretched her arms up, trying to relieve some of the aches.

"Good morning."

Nyssa quickly looked down to see Sara smiling up at her. She grabbed the thermometer and Sara dutifully let her place it under her tongue to confirm that her fever was gone.

"Good morning," Nyssa whispered, she placed her hand on Sara's chest to feel her breathing even and full breaths. "I see that you're feeling better."

"Much better, thanks to you."

Nyssa smiled as she reached out to hold Sara's face. Sara smiled back at her and held her hand, turning to kiss her palm.

Nyssa shifted, stretching again and Sara moved off her lap. Nyssa laid back down and pulled Sara back in as she rested her head on Nyssa's chest. The sunlight streamed across Sara's face, Illuminating her golden hair. Nyssa smiled as she reached down to kiss Sara's forehead and they settled back into bed.

Sara quickly fell back asleep, but Nyssa stayed up, still watching over her Beloved. Sara was out of the woods, yet Nyssa kept an eye on her as she reached for her book of poetry again. She picked up where she left off as she held Sara's head against her chest. The cooks came in the tray of breakfast and one of the doctors popped in to look over Sara and confirmed that she was doing better.

Once they left Sara settling back in bed and convinced Nyssa to read to her again. As Nyssa read she ran her fingers over Sara's forehead and listened to her breathing. Although Sara still had a light cough, Nyssa enjoyed a more peaceful morning knowing her Beloved would be alright.