It was impossible to ignore how Alex looked because Chase hadn't ever seen him look this bad. Not even the time Alex had pulled a double shift for another department and had been so run off his feet, he passed out in the staff room from dehydration. That had been exceptional circumstances, though, when they had been on high alert for an epidemic and they needed all Infection Diseases specialist hands on deck. "Don't apologise," he replied, hitching his messenger back up onto his shoulder before he reached to feel Alex's forehead with the backs of his fingers.

"You're burning. What was your temp when you last checked?" he asked and ushered Alex back inside to close the door behind them. He dug around in his bag and pulled out his electronic thermometer, capping it and gestured for Alex to come a little closer so he could take the reading.