"John, I'm fine," she insisted. "Nurse Roberts has been with me the entire time. I'm fine... except that I almost lost you." Silently she cursed the quaver in her voice; she didn't mind him seeing her weaknesses, but right now she ought to be strong for him. Worrying about her when he was covered in burns was ridiculous.

The grimace that passed across his face was brief, but she pulled her hand away and sat down in a chair beside him, moving as close as she could without actually touching him. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him more pain. "...And the radiation?" It made her chest ache to think that he was lying right there beside her and still might not be safe.