A/N: I don't really know why, but I really like this chapter.

They were almost out of water, and Tina and Summer had left to search the woods behind the house for a stream or brook, leaving Finn to watch Noah and make sure the fire didn't go out. It was early afternoon. Finn was kneeling next to Noah's leg and inspecting it closely when Noah's eyes slid open, glassy with fever.

What're you doing? he mumbled.

I'm trying to see how bad the bruising is. You feeling any better?

What month is it?

I'm not sure. March, I think.

Huh... Coulda sworn it was August.

Might be. Finn pressed his fingers to the side of Noah's neck and felt his forehead again. You're still burning up, he said.

What d'you think Earth looks like now?

What do you mean?

From the moon... Noah frowned at the ceiling in thought. D'you think the moon's still up there?

I dunno. Maybe. Hard to tell.

What's hard to tell?

The...the moon. You don't remember asking me that?

Noah's eyelids drooped and he didn't answer.

You want some food?

'M thirsty.

Okay. Finn gave him his water bottle and helped him sit up to drink and lay back down when he was done. You comfortable?

I gotta take a piss.

Finn retrieved the crutch that he'd fashioned for Noah out of pieces of one of the beds upstairs and with a grunt he pulled Noah upwards until he was standing on his good leg, leaning heavily against Finn's side. Finn put the crutch under Noah's arm and pulled one of his arms over his shoulders and slowly they made their way outside. Noah winced with every step, and their breath clouded once they made it to the porch.

Maybe it is March, Noah said, hands shaking in the cold.

While Noah went about his business while leaning for support on the porch rail, Finn scanned the surrounding woods for any signs of movement. They hadn't seen any people since the cellar where Noah and Tina had been held, but neither Finn nor Tina had felt at ease - they weren't so far away from the bandits' lair, after all. Finn had kept his pistol by his side at all time, and now his fingers brushed its handle inside his pocket. They had a few more guns inside - they'd stolen them from the bandits' house before they'd left and they were good as clubs, but they had only three bullets left, all of which resided in Finn's pistol.

How far d'you think I can make it?

The question startled Finn and he frowned in response. Noah was still leaning on the porch railing, staring at the bare bone-white trees. Before what? Finn asked.

Come on, man. You and I both know that this... He gestured to his leg and shook his head. I'm as good as dead.

Fuck you. You know better than to talk like that. If I catch you saying shit like that around Summer, I'm leaving you behind.

Noah stared up at the skeletal branches and was silent.

It's cold, said Finn. Let's go back inside. Come on.

Noah's fever finally broke on their fourth day staying in the house, and he woke up as the last of the daylight was fading from the ashen dusk. Summer was bent over a plastic basin by the fire and Tina was washing her hair as best she could with no soap. Noah didn't say anything for a long time and then Summer saw that his eyes were open and ran over to him, her hair dripping. Tina smiled with relief and came over too.

You had us pretty worried for awhile there, she said.

Sorry. How long was I out?

Three days.

You were talking really funny too, Summer informed him. She'd taken off her shirt and coat for her bath and was starting to shiver, so Noah let her climb under the blankets with him and he squeezed her against his side with one arm.

I missed you, he told her, brushing some drops of water from her hair off his shoulder. What kinda funny things was I saying?

Tina sat on the floor next to them, crossing her legs. Well, at one point you tried to get up, saying you had to feed the dog.

And what'd you say?

I told you I'd have Finn do it.

That's funny.

Tina reached forward and laid the back of her hand against his forehead. You still feel a little warm, but I think you'll be okay.

I think not rambling about nonexistent dogs is usually a pretty good sign.

Usually.

He watched her for a minute, a slight frown etched into his hollowed face. You okay?

She studied her palms and didn't look at him. Yeah. I'm fine.

Did something happen?

No.

He followed her gaze and saw that her fingers were blue. Is that where I grabbed you?

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Does it hurt?

She shrugged. Not really.

Noah sighed and looked around the room. Where's Finn?

He went out to get firewood a little while ago. Summer, can you get your coat on and go look for him? Don't go too far, though.

After Summer had disappeared out the front door on a Daddy-hunt, Noah spoke. Tina, did something happen?

She looked startled. When?

When I was out.

No.

You sure?

She didn't answer for a long time, and when she finally did, she was staring out the window. You said you'd apologize to Artie when you saw him.

Noah's frown deepened and he was quiet. I'm sorry.

It's okay, Tina said softly. You weren't exactly coherent.

He is dead, though, isn't he?

Yeah. We, uh... we went back for him, but... She shrugged again and shook her head. Noah reached out and grabbed her hand, gently this time. She sniffed and still didn't look at him, but she squeezed his fingers. It doesn't really matter, she whispered. One more person doesn't make a difference.

She didn't wait for him to argue and stood up and disappeared into the kitchen to get a can of tomatoes for dinner before Finn and Summer came back.

In the middle of the night, they were woken by the sound of rain beating against the roof of the house.

A/N: Please, please, PLEASE review.