Newt straightens his skinny body and looks up to the sky, wiping his brow before returning to work.

"Is it just me or does this day seem abnormally bloody long?" He asked me.

I nod, panting a little from working in the heat. I stop and take a drink of water, offering some to Newt.

He shakes his head. "Not really feeling well, love." He said. "I think I'd just throw it back up."

"You'll get dehydrated," I hold my arm out still, and he sighs and takes a drink.

He makes a face, as if he's trying to swallow but doesn't want to. I finally hear him gulp, and he forces me a smile.

"Are you happy?" He asked.

"Not really," I frown. "You don't look too hot."

"Are you bloody joking?" He exclaimed, apparently shocked or enraged, I couldn't tell which. "It's a hundred bloody degrees out!"

"That's not what I meant," I rolled my eyes.

"Let's just keep working, hmm?"

"As you wish," I give him a mock salute, and he laughs before picking up his shovel again.

We were nearing our fifth hour of work now. I'd taken a couple of breaks, mostly to get out of the sun, but Newt worked straight through.

With the back of his hand he wipes a sheen of sweat off his forehead and looks at me with tired eyes. They seem a bit foggy.

"Almost done now, love. " He tells me with a strained smile, knowing I'm not happy that he hasn't sat down in the shade with me.

I roll my eyes and go back to work. I hear a dull thudding noise, and I turn to see that he's dropped his shovel. His face is paler than normal, and he's swaying slightly.

"Newt?" I ask cautiously.

"I don't feel so good," he slurred.

"Newt?" I ask again, seeing his eyes cloud over.

His eyes roll up into his head and he falls backwards, hitting the ground with a sickening sound. He lies there all crumpled-like, his blond hair slightly messy and his forehead sweaty.

I groan and, despite the fact that he was unconcious, I lug him to his feet. He's a skinny guy, and he doesn't weigh too much for me; but still I have to hold one of his arms around my shoulder, my other arm clutching his waist, and I literally drag him to the med hut, his head lolling.

"What happened?" Someone asked me in surprise.

I only roll my eyes. "He was being stupid and now he's got heatstroke."

Alby strolled up, rolling his eyes. "Shank. Why don't you leave him here and get some rest?"

I sighed as he helped me lay Newt down. "No, I'll stay here. He's going to be real embarrassed but I know he's going to ask for me. He always does."

Alby chuckled as I dampened a cloth and laid it across Newt's forehead. "Alright, suit yourself. I'll check back later, eh, greenie?"

Newt slept somewhat restlessly for nearly two hours; I only left once and even then I came back within a few minutes. Finally he stirred, causing the rag to fall off his head.

"Mmm-uuunnngh-fmmm." He moaned.

"Newt," I whispered. "Newtie."

"Don't call me that," he slurred. He shuddered.

"How do you feel?"

"Hot. 'M hot." He closed his eyes again. His cheeks were flushed from the fever. "Feel like shucking klunk."

"Well you should, you have heatstroke." I said, narrowing my eyes. "I told you to take a break and I told you to get a drink."

"I listened to you once!"

"One sip of water is not enough to save you from the sun."

"I feel sick," he said suddenly.

"Are you going to actually be sick?" I asked worriedly, but I was prepared for this. I knew how heatstroke affected the body.

Newt didn't answer me, and I propped him up a bit, rolling him on his side. Not even ten seconds later, he was vomiting into a bucket. Like I said, I was prepared for this.

What I wasn't prepared for was the sheer amount of time it would take; when he finally stopped throwing up, it was followed by dry heaves, and then his tiny little stick-thin, unhealthy body was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

I took the damp rag and wiped off his mouth and chin as he laid back into the pillows.

"Thanks, love." He mumbled. His eyes were struggling to stay open, his face still pale. "Maybe you should leave, love. I mean, this can't be how you want to spend your day, can it?"

One of his hands was resting on his stomach, and I knew he would be sick again later in the day. His other hand, however, was stretching weakly towards me. I knew he was scared, and didn't want me to leave. But hey, I had only left his side once in the past two hours--would I really leave him now?

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You're fine, 'love.'" I teased. "You're going to be sick for awhile, you know. And not working for even longer."

He moaned, and I rubbed his back when he rolled over and starting heaving again.

When he leaned back again, he was close to tears. "I'm really bloody sorry, love, I should've listened to you."

I kissed his forehead--it still burned as though flames were licking it. He sighed, and I felt him sort of melting into my touch.

"Does that feel nice?" I whispered.

He nodded weakly. "Please hold me, love. I feel bloody awful."

I gave him a small smile and laid down beside him. "You're going to feel pretty bad for awhile."

I hadn't even gotten the entire sentence out before he was leaning over the side again. I winced and again just rubbed his back, hoping it was helping and not making it worse.

"Bloody hell," Newt panted, finally lying back down. "I think I'm okay for now. I hope."

"How's your stomach feel?"

"Not so slosh-y now." He grimaced. "So that's good, right?"

I nod and brush his hair out of his face. "You're still burning up. Your fever must have gone down some though, you woke up okay."

"I'm tired, love." He mumbled. His eyes were closing almost without his permission. "Can I sleep?"

"Yes," I kiss his forehead again. "I need to cool you off some more though."

"Please do," he begged. "I feel like bloody fire."

I smile and dampen the cloth again, placing it on his forehead again. He sighed in relief, and I knew he must feel awful.

"Hold me, love, please?" It sounded as though he were begging.

"Of course," I smiled and gently turned him to face me, just a little, my arms wrapped around him.

"Thank you for looking after me, love." He gave me a weak smile, and butterflies tickled my stomach.

I smiled again. "Always, as long as you need me."

His eyes stayed closed now, and after a few moments I heard his breaths deepen. For now, he is peaceful.