Chapter Eleven: Status Updates
Several days later Jack found himself awake more than asleep and much less fuzzy of mind. Lunch came and with it, General Hammond. "Colonel, you're looking much better today."
"Thank you, sir," Jack said in his normally chipper way, though it was clear he was anything but chipper at having to be fed because his arms were both out of commission.
"Dr. Fraiser says you'll be allowed to recuperate at home in a week if you prefer it to here. She wants you to be able to do some more things on your own and off the heavy medications before releasing you. We'll send a home care worker with you to assist."
"I'd rather not bring a stranger home with me," Jack said then looked at the male nurse helping him eat, "No offense." He looked back at the general, "Why can't Daniel just come home and help me?"
This produced a shocked look on the general's normally even face, "You don't remember yet?"
Jack shook his head and Janet came in as the general asked the question, "Daniel is under quarantine, colonel. General Hammond, I'd like to speak to you about that." The general nodded and left the colonel alone with his nurse and lunch.
Once out of earshot from Jack, Janet sighed, "He doesn't remember yet. His mind is recovering well, thankfully, but I have a feeling he may have blocked out the attack. You know how close they were and since Daniel's descension, Jack and he have become nearly inseparable, as if Jack feels to let Daniel out of his sight would result in him dying or ascending again. He's very over protective of him and maybe his mind won't allow him to remember what happened."
Nodding quietly the general thought over things, "And Doctor Jackson? Is he recovering?"
"It's hard to tell it by listening to him, but his blood work says yes. There has been no negative side effect from the animal's venom, but the lab can't get another sample from it for testing. Apparently it only produces the venom when it needs to use it. In all other ways, other than its very odd form, its perfectly normal and is no danger to our people.
"The bigger underlying cause of Daniel's outburst, however, is the planet's flora and his antihistamine. The antihistamine that triggered the final reaction is only now starting to leave his system, but the violence isn't nearly over. It was just yesterday Captain Morris finally cleared out the last of the pollen. His violent reactions faded once it was all clear and he took a much milder medication than Daniel because his allergies are far less severe. I have a feeling Daniel will recover in the same manner, but slower due to his extended time on the planet; the lack of sleep caused him to be much more run down and unable to fight off the effects of the flora.
"In effect the situation is the exact opposite of the histamine disease of P3X-797 which caused the people who had high histamine levels to become primitive and caveman like. In this case Daniel's low histamine level allowed the odd reversal of botanical infrastructure to tap into the negative basic instincts similarly. The anger and paranoia Captain Morris displayed was followed by violent outbursts, I am sure that the same happened to Daniel, though we only saw the violence, I am sure Jack saw the growing anger and paranoia. It may be a while, but both men will recover physically. Mentally, when they both realize what Daniel's done, I'm not sure Daniel will ever forgive himself, and frankly I have no idea what to expect of the colonel."
"Do what you can Dr. Fraiser, these boys mean the world to me, and each other, not to mention Major Carter and Teal'c. I don't want to see this ruin SG1's personal bond."
"Yes, sir," but what could she do? She healed the body not the mind and neither one of them trusted the mental profession since the terrible situation of the Legacy Virus.
When she returned to Jack's area she heard him fussing with the nurse, "Let me do it! I'm not moving my shoulder just my elbow and wrist. The sooner I get this working the sooner I get out of here." Then he spied the doctor, "Oh hey, Doc, get this guy to let me feed myself."
"It's too soon Jack. You need someone caring for you."
"But… hey! I've got someone to do the job. An old friend is staying at my cabin. Send me back there and I'll be waited on hand and foot just like you want."
Folding her arms Janet looked at the miserable colonel and thought about it, "A few more days here and I go with you to tell who ever it is the instructions for your care. And, it's to be your place in Colorado Springs, not the cabin so I can be close if you need me."
It was a good offer, the best he'd get from her, "Deal."