"You must try," Leeza urged.

"What did you say the fatality rate for this plague is?"

"Almost half."

Picking up a tightly folded piece of paper from the box, Nathaniel opened it up and looked it over. The sheet contained pharmaceutical information, including general application instructions and the proper dosing schedule, according to the computer analysis.

Grabbing components from the box, Nathaniel began to put together a syringe. "Your veins are roughly in the same place as mine, right?"

"I think so," she said, studying her forearm. The veins were hidden under the reptilian skin, but they could be easily located by the touch of a finger.

"Have you ever given an injection?" Nathaniel asked, filling the syringe with a dose of the yellow fluid.

"Never," Leeza said.

"Then I'll do it," he said, standing up with the filled syringe.

They walked back to the bedroom, finding Vinsra and Ganz as they had been a few minutes earlier; cold, unmoving, but alive.

"Could you open that curtain?" Nathaniel asked, flicking the syringe to draw any air to the surface.

Leeza opened the black curtain of the window, shedding much sunlight into the cramped, circular bedroom.

The nest-like sleeping quarters still seemed odd to Nathaniel, a truly alien arrangement.

Pulling the heavy covers away from the Leshers, Nathaniel grabbed Vinsra's arm and began feeling it for a pulse. He found one in the crook of her right arm, and with a little prodding he was able to locate the vein. Pulling a rubber band out of his pocket, he tied her upper arm to slow the blood flow, then wasted no time in stabbing. He carefully pushed down on the plunger, sending the small amount of liquid into her bloodstream. Pulling the needle out, he dug around into another pocket, finding a clean handkerchief to hold over the arm to stop the bleeding.

"When will we know if it's working?" Leeza asked.

"I have no idea," Nathaniel said, standing up. "According to the instructions, she should be given a second injection in twelve Earth hours, roughly eight of yours. That means we'll have to come back tomorrow morning."

"Or stay here tonight," Leeza mentioned. "We would be safe to stay inside until quarantine is lifted."

"Are you sure you want to risk it? I would hate to see you contract this illness."

"I have already been exposed many times. I do not believe I can be infected," Leeza said.

"All right, we'll stay put."

"It's settled then," Leeza said, heading for the door. "I will start dinner."

Exiting the bedroom, they left the door cracked open, so they could keep an eye on Vinsra in case something drastic happened.

The quiet of the house was quickly ended, as Leeza fired up the cook stove and Nathaniel got the fireplace raging again. The sound of fires and the clacking of pans brought a sense of comfort in the face of despair.

Nathaniel headed down into the cellar to retrieve an armful of firewood. When he returned, he found Leeza opening the curtains, shedding light into the dark gloom of the spacious living and dining room. The setting sun provided a mellow glow through the glass as its natural light faded.

The heat of the fireplace quickly rose the temperature of the home to a level uncomfortable for Nathaniel, but ideal for his reptilian counterparts. His flesh was getting accustomed to constant warmth, so it didn't bother him all that much anymore. He did make a point of removing his jacket, though.

The sizzle of a skillet sounded as Nathaniel walked around, lighting the gas lamps hung along the walls. The faint lights added minimal illumination, casting strange shadows beyond every piece of furniture and table ornament.

With all the lamps lit, Nathaniel found a comfortable seat at the dining table. He waited patiently as Leeza finished her food preparations.

"I found some Vanu root in the ice box. I hope you like it," Leeza said, setting a plate down in front of Nathaniel.

"It smells good," Nathaniel said, noticing a fruity scent wafting up from the plate. A bite of the fibrous root brought the sensation of blackberries to his tongue.

Leeza smiled as she saw him take a second bite, and she settled down in the seat next to him with her own plate.

Both ate quietly, paying full attention to the warm food. The meal went quickly, and the plates were nearly bare in minutes, opening up the chance for Leeza to brave difficult words.

"Nate, you say it is unlikely that you will ever return home?"

"Pretty much," Nathaniel said, finishing his last bite of food.

"Then I must ask. If you are to remain on this world, would you consider spending your days with me?" Leeza asked shyly.

"How do you mean?" Nathaniel asked, feeling a little awkward.

She reached out with both hands and grabbed his, squeezing tightly. "I have been alone. These last three years, I never thought I would ever again find a man I could..." She paused as she searched for the proper word. Her understanding of English provided none. "Find a man I could be close to, that I could feel." She pressed his hand against her chest.

Nathaniel remained silent, with chaotic thoughts racing through his mind. He could never have foreseen this circumstance. Such feelings Leeza expressed for him seemed impossible. How could a creature so truly alien to himself feel such emotion for him?

"Say something," Leeza asked, fidgeting in her chair.