<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=85634.msg3849599#msg3849599">Quote from: kaz on 03-11-2010, 17:49:52</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Mel whimpered in her sleep, her body aching.  She opened her eyes and looked around, seeing the Doctor sitting there.  "Thank you, for looking after me." She said to him, "did you check my ankle?  I..I need to know if it is broken, it did feel like it was, but I..I dont know" she said to him, her voice shaky.  <br/><br/>"I hope it isn't broken I need to be able to work and hunt, I cant leave it to the others." She coughed hard, her chest aching, she hoped she wasnt coming down with anything more...<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Jared knelt beside Mel's cot, looking into her face with a reassuring smile.  "I have looked over your ankle.  I've checked it as best I could by feel, what's called an Ottawa exam.  It's the best we can do without x-rays.  I didn't feel any breaks.  There could be a small crack, or a severe strain.  Either way, you're going to be off your ankle for some time.  I was thinking that, maybe we could tear some clothing into strips, and coat them with some kind of clay, if there's any on the island, maybe fashion some kind of cast.  If not, we'll just have to keep splints on the ankle until it heals."<br/><br/>He frowned slightly at her cough.  It was deep and racking.  "I'm more worried about the time you spent in the hole, surrounded by wet mud and cold rain runoff.  You were in hypothermia when we pulled you out, and I've been working to dry and warm you up ever since.  Optimally, a hot bath would have been the best option, but... "  He shrugged at their primitive conditions.  "Your friends managed to boil some water on the stove, and we've wrapped you in hot towels.  I think the danger from hypothermia has passed, but you're still fighting off the effects.  I don't want lung congestion to take hold.  We still need to keep you warm."<br/><br/>The fire was starting to die down in the circle, and, while the rain was easing off, there was only so much dried wood stacked up to keep it going.  "I think the best solution for now would be human warmth."  He glance around, but the others had drifted away.  "I'm going to get under the blanket with you and try to help keep you warm."<br/><br/>His clothes were still soggy from the rain; he had never dried out as he worked  on her.  He didn't want wet clothes against her skin, so he stripped off his shirt, his shoes and pants, used a towel to dry off as much as possible, then slipped under the blanket and spooned Mel from behind, his chest against her back, his arms around her, his legs against hers.  "Now, try to rest as much as possible," he said softly.  The warmth admittedly felt good against him, too.  He was careful not to jostle her ankle.<br/><br/>