The hand holding and sidestep only serves to worry York more, honestly. If it's simple, why wouldn't she tell him? Unless it was only so easy to diagnose because they're hyperaware of it because it's something terrible. But that can't be. She's the only one sick, if it was some kind of poison or contagion he would be sick too. And she wasn't gone long enough for them to do any actual testing for what he'd consider serious things. Unless the Barrayaran medics got their hands on a Cetagandan diagnostic device or something. They haven't, right? He would've heard about that kind of haul.

...he then realizes he's overthinking it with nothing to go on, and nips it immediately. Squeezes her hands and smooths his thumbs over her knuckles as if to say he's not going anywhere, no matter what she's got. He tries to keep it light instead.

"Lina, what is it? If it's that common they must know how to treat it, it can't be worth that face. What do we do? Do I have to go on a fairy tale journey for a special cure flower that only grows at the top of a mountain or something? Because I will."