CHAPTER FOUR: MORNING HAS BROKEN

Cuddy rubbed her eyes groggily, trying to figure out where she was. Her whole body ached, and it took her a moment to realize it was because she had slept on the hard ground instead of her expensive memory foam mattress. They had managed to construct a lean-to the night before, using branches, rocks, palm leaves, and the clothing from a few suitcases that had washed ashore.

Beside her, Emily shifted in her sleep, her head resting on Cuddy's balled-up sweater. She glanced around to discover that the others were all sleeping, save for House.

"Damn it." House's voice was full of a bitterness Cuddy rarely heard. "Damn it, damn it, damn it."

"What's wrong?" Cuddy clambered up and over to him.

He sighed heavily. "She's dead."

"You're surprised?" Cuddy laid a hand gently on his back.

"No," he admitted. "But...still. Losing a patient sucks."

"I know," Cuddy said soothingly. She gazed upon the woman sadly. "We should have a funeral. It only seems right."

"But - the kids," House protested. "We don't want them seeing that."

"You just don't want to dig the hole," Cuddy replied.

"I'll help dig it," came Chase's voice, behind them.

"Was it that obvious?" he muttered. House rolled his eyes. "Trust Chase to save the day." Back to Chase, he called, "You'll destroy your surgeon hands to dig a hole for a woman you don't even know?"

"Unlike some people, I have a conscience," Chase responded, but his tone lacked bite. He leaned down to inspect the woman. "We'll have one for Taub, as well."

"Oh come on," House protested. "You can't have a funeral if you don't have a body. It's just not how it's done."

"You don't have to dig a hole, this time," Cuddy reminded him

"Mommy?" At the sound of Ethan's voice, all the adults turned around.

Cuddy rushed over to him, as a pang of sadness struck her, her own daughter thousands of miles away. She crouched beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay," she told him.

"She's dead, isn't she?" He looked at her, daring her to lie.

"We can't know for sure, but it's likely, yes," Cuddy told him, knowing she couldn't fool him.

His lower lip began to tremble and he dropped his gaze to his knees. "Okay," he said quietly.

"We can be sure. This is the only land anywhere near the plane, or was no one else looking out the window? Sorry to break it to you, kid, but your mom's shark food." House's expression was cold.

Cuddy threw him a look of deep disgust before wrapping a comforting arm around Ethan. "Don't worry. You and your sister will be safe."

Ethan sniffled and leaned into Cuddy. Quietly, so that only she could hear, he asked, "If you're having a funeral, can we have one for my mom too?"

"Of course," she replied.

"Three funerals?" House whined. "Are we going to have one for every single person on the plane? What about the fish who were killed when the plane landed on them?"

Thirteen groaned from where she was lying with Foreman's arm around her. "Why is everyone talking?"

"Why are you and Foreman spooning?" Chase asked, with a perturbed expression.

"Why aren't you and Cameron spooning?" Thirteen shot back.

"Because, like normal people, we realize just how hot it is and have no interest in trading comfort for PDA," Cameron retorted.

"Now, now, ladies, save it for the mud wrestling. Which will commence as soon as we find some good mud and a couple of string bikinis," House said without cracking a smile.

"Shut up," Cameron and Thirteen replied in unison.

Cameron sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling so well." She glanced nervously at Chase. "I mean, we haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and we need to find water, soon."

Chase walked over and knelt in front of her. Gently, he pressed his hand to her head. "No fever," he murmured. "That's good."

His words brought Cameron's mind to the cooler still containing the viral samples. "We need to fill the cooler with sea water to keep the vials cold."

"Wait." Foreman sat up looking stricken. "Where is that cooler? Has anyone checked to make sure the vials are intact?"

Chase's eyes widened. "We've all been in close contact with it, not to mention, it flooded with water. Between carrying it, trying to dry it out, moving it into the lean-to...we could all be infected."

"What?" Ethan began to cry again. Moments later, Emily joined in.

"I knew we shouldn't have taken it with us," Thirteen muttered angrily.

"It's too late for that now," Cameron replied testily. She went over to where Emily and Ethan were crying and tried to comfort them.

"No!" Ethan cried. "You have virus on you! Don't touch me!" He scrambled up and away from Cameron. "Emily, don't touch her, she has germs!"

"No she doesn't," House told the children. Cameron smiled at him. "She has cooties. They're totally different."

"Do we have any antivirals with us?" Cuddy asked House in a low voice.

"Of course we do." House rolled his eyes. "Right next to the vials of the virus, which may well be broken."

Emily tugged on Ethan's sleeve. "Am I going to die?"

"Of course not." Cuddy knelt down next to them both. "We're all doctors. We'll make sure you're okay."

"But the lady died," Ethan sniffed, pointing to Suzette's body.

"She didn't die of a virus," Chase pointed out. "Besides, we don't know for sure any of you are infected."

It was at that moment that Cameron darted down the beach, stopping fifty feet away, doubling over, and emptying the contents of her stomach. Repeatedly.

"Allison!" Chase went tearing after her.

Thirteen and Foreman exchanged glances, while Cuddy looked at House. "Is vomiting one of the symptoms?"

"Yup." His expression registered no emotion. "Then again - we know from experience that you don't actually need the disease to have the symptoms, now don't we?"

"Someone on that plane was actually sick," Cuddy hissed.

"First thing's first." Gil, the ex-Marine, spoke up for the first time. "We need to find food and water. I think we should split up - I can lead a group to search for rations, while another group stays here to fortify our shelter, collect firewood, and keep an eye on the children."

"I'll go with you," Thirteen offered. "After the funeral."

"Me too," Foreman piped up immediately.

Emily grabbed Cuddy's hand. "I want to be with Lisa."

Cuddy felt a swell of affection for the little girl. "All right, I'll stay here. You and Ethan can help me find sticks for the fire, okay?"

Emily nodded, still clutching her hand.

"Come on, if we're going to do this funeral thing, let's get it over with," House grumbled. "Then we can send the Dahmer Party off to forage."

"Don't forget the babysitting Cameron part," Thirteen said scornfully.

Suddenly Chase reappeared with Cameron at his side. She looked pale, but seemed steady on her feet. "Stop looking at me like that, I'm fine," she said to Cuddy.

"We need to check the cooler," Chase said quietly.

They all looked around, trying to decide who would be the one to take the risk. Thirteen spoke up. "I'll do it."

"Remy," Foreman muttered. "You don't have to do this."

"Yeah, she does," House said. "One shortened life span is enough. No need for any of us to shorten ours."

Thirteen nodded. "He's right, Eric." Slowly, she made her way over to the cooler. Picking up a stick, she gingerly flipped the top open with it and peered inside. "Which ones are the virus, and which are the antivirals?"

"The antivirals have red tops, the virus has blue," Cameron told her, gripping Chase's arm.

Thirteen took a quick glance inside the cooler and shut the lid as quickly as possible. Turning back to the group, she knew she was only confirming their worst fears.

"All of them are broken."

Duh duh DUHHHHH...what's going to happen? Is Cameron infected? Will our heroes find food and water? Review to find out! XD