The next morning Book arrived at the infirmary to find Simon bent over Jayne, taking his temperature. As he read the result, it only deepened the frown on his face.

"Not doing so good, huh?" the shepherd asked.

Simon turned towards him. "A hundred and four," he sighed. "And climbing."

Book shook his head. Jayne did indeed look as if the very last of his spryness had left him. He hardly stirred at all, his eyes were closed, his face slack, a breathing mask covering the lower part of it.

"He's having a little trouble breathing," Simon explained. "So I'm giving him oxygen."

He put the thermometer away on the counter and turned around to silently spend a few moments observing his patient from there. "He should have died in that dessert," he said.

Book gave him a sideways glance, encouraging him to explain that statement, and Simon took the hint. "Not that I wanted him to. I just don't understand how he managed to stay alive." He sighed again. "Guess he's just too stubborn. Too strong." He paused and then added, "But he won't be strong enough for this. If we don't find that medicine very soon we might as well stop looking for it."

"You're not giving up," Book firmly said.

Simon gave yet another sigh. "No." He straightened. "No, I'm sorry. I just feel so useless." He peeled off his gloves and turned on the sink to wash his hands.

"You have not been useless, Simon."

The young man pensively wiped his fingers and sent another glance in Jayne's direction. "You know, Shepherd, I thought I was just being professional. Just a doctor worried about losing his patient. But it kind of feels like there's more to it."

"Oh?"

"I don't want him to die. I really don't." He put the towel down and shook his head. "And I don't even like the guy."

Book just smiled. "Don't ha