Once Bitten Twice Shy: Part 9
By the time Doc Pierce arrives, Mac is shivering violently as his teeth chatters. Doc Pierce goes about checking his temperature.
"102.9°, When was it last checked?" Doc frowns while applying the blood pressure cuff.
"Right before I called you." Matty replies concerned.
"Has it been trending up all day?" Doc asks inflating the BP cuff.
"No, it initially went down and hovered around 102.4° most of the day, but recently started going back up," Matty explains.
"79/41 and his pulse is a bit fast," Doc Pierce states.
"Is that bad?" Matty worries.
"It's hard to say. It could just be signs of dehydration," Doc Pierce hedges.
"But you're concerned?" Matty returns.
"These vitals and all his symptoms can be explained by the flu and concussion, but I am concerned that his fever isn't responding to meds and cooling measures. I'm worried about a secondary infection," Doc explains as he peels back the covers and begins to do a thorough examination starting with the head wound.
From the other side of the bed, Matty takes Mac's hand in hers, "It's okay Mac. We've got you. We'll figure this out."
Matty then gentle squeezes his hand which elicits a slight whimper. She looks down and notices a pink rash coming from between his index and middle finger.
"Doc?" Matty questions raising Mac's hand to draw attention to the rash.
Doc Pierce takes the hand and gently palpitates the rash which seems to cause Mac discomfort before he addresses the patient, "Mac, can you tell me what happened here?"
Mac opens his eyes following the doc's own eyes down to his hand then hoarsely answers, "Broke Jack's mug yesterday. Nicked it on a shard, cleaning up."
Doc sighs, "Well, it definitely looks like Impetigo, a rash caused by staph infection. I'd like to start him on IV antibiotics immediately since there's a chance the infection may have got into his bloodstream."
"You think that's why it presented so quickly? He just cut himself yesterday." Matty wonders.
"Not necessarily, he already had a weakened immune system from the flu. I'm just being pre-cautious."
"Should we take him into medical?" Matty asks.
"We could, if that's more convenient. I'm going to be straight with you. With all the symptom overlap, it may not have been caught this early if he was an inpatient. You threw up the red flag that may just have saved his life. Staph can be very serious, especially in compromised patients. I can put him on our mobile medical rotation. They'll come out to setup the IV and get labs. Then they'll be out at regular intervals to administer IV meds, get blood work, and help with anything else he may need. It's your choice." Doc offers.
"But it's safer at the hospital, if something goes wrong…" Matty trails off uncertainly.
"Again, not necessarily. Yes, access to medical care is more readily available, but there's also more exposure to germs and other bacteria. Hospitals are breeding grounds for them despite our best sanitation efforts. Environment can go a long way toward healing and Mac hates hospitals, but he seems at ease here. And I don't worry about him pushing the boundaries too far the way he might in his own home or even Jack's. But it's your call. I know you're very busy and understand if this isn't what you signed on for. There is no judgement," Doc explains.
"It's not that… I'm not sure what is best." Matty admits.
"Do you have an opinion on this Mac?" Doc Pierce asks noticing that Mac seems to be tracking at least some of the conversation.
"No hospital," Mac rasps.
Doc Pierce pats Mac on the knee and gathers his things as he heads out the guest room.
"Well, you knew he was going to say that." Matty huffs out a small laugh as she follows.
Doc motions her further down the hall before replying, "Yes, but did you notice what he didn't say?"
After a brief silence, Matty answers, "Go home."
"There have been times throughout the day when he's been coherent?," after Matty nods Doc continues, "Has he asked to go home even once?"
"No. He hasn't." Matty replies a bit stunned by the revelation.
"Exactly. I've seen him ask to go home when he was still in an ICU bed. He trusts you, he feels safe here." Doc returns.
"Alright, set it up." Matty agrees.
"Great. I'll make the call. I'm sure I can get them out here within the hour. They'll set up the IV and draw some blood work to confirm he hasn't contracted a medication resistant strain. It can be a lot for one person to be the sole caregiver for another, even for a short period of time. I understand Riley and Bozer didn't get the flu shot, but if you want additional help have Jack come in before I'm off shift. I'll check him over and make sure he's up to it."
"Thanks doc. I'll do that if only to keep Jack from pounding down my door when I tell him about this latest development." Matty jokes.
As soon as the Doc leaves, Matty phones Jim to let him know what's going on before he gets the medical report from Phoenix.
"I can have a nurse temporarily reassigned. That's a lot to ask of Dalton, he's still getting over the flu himself," Jim offers.
"Oh, Jack would happily volunteer regardless of his own health, but he will be medically cleared first. Jack loves Mac like family," Matty assures.
Jim sighs, he's glad Mac has Jack. Hell, he helped arrange it. Jack treats Mac like a brother, sometimes even like a son. He can't help feeling a tinge of regret though, maybe even jealousy.
"Alright," Jim finally responds.
The doorbell rings and Matty checks the time. Twenty minutes have passed, Doc Pierce must have lit a fire under the mobile medical unit.
"I have to go. They're here to set up the IV and draw Mac's labs." Matty advises.
"Of course, thanks for the update… And you know, for everything." Jim finishes lamely.
The closing credits to the original Die Hard movie are rolling, when Jack's phone rings. Riley, Bozer, and Jack all sit up a little from their respective seats around the television.
"It's Matty," Jack announces concerned before answering the call, "You're on speaker. Riley and Bozer are here. What happened? Is Mac alright?"
"There's been a complication. Apparently Mac cut himself on a broken mug sometime yesterday. Anyway, he's got a secondary staph infection that's keeping his fever up. They've started IV antibiotics and are checking labs." Matty explains.
"Is he at medical now?" Jack asks.
"No, Doc Pierce didn't think moving him was necessary. He's been added to the mobile medical route," Matty sighs, "I've set up Mac in my guest room. Listen Jack, Doc Pierce is working the 7-to-7 tonight. Go get yourself checked out. If he clears you, you can stay on the futon in my study and help with Mac's care."
"What about us?" Bozer asks.
"Yeah, how can we help?" Riley adds.
"Bozer, Riley, I'm sorry. I still can't have you exposed to the flu. You can help by staying well and doing your jobs..." Matty begins.
"…But you let Mac take care of Jack and he didn't get the flu shot this year either," Bozer protested.
"No I didn't… Well, yes technically I did, but I thought he had the shot. His medical record reflected that he had. It was only after talking with the medical staff that we discovered the chart was wrong. He went in for the shot, but had a low grade fever and didn't receive it. He even went back a couple of days later, but they were out of the vaccines.," Matty sighs, "Oh, but if you want to send some of Mac's things: pajamas, toiletries, anything you can think of that'll make him more comfortable, I'm sure he'd appreciate it."
"I can do that. I'll send some of my miracle chicken noodle soup too! I just made a batch today," Bozer replies happy to have a task.
"Okay, Matty. I'm grabbing my go-bag and leaving to be checked out now." Jack advises.
"Of course you are. I'll see you soon Jack," Matty returns and disconnects the call with a shake of the head.
Seeing the lost look on Riley's face, Jack suggests, "Hey Ri, why don't you package up some of that soup in the kitchen for Mac. Then, if you wouldn't mind, maybe you could follow Bozer home and bring the bag he packs back to me at medical?"
Bozer looks up as if to say that's not necessary but catches Jack subtle head shake and glance towards Riley, his eyes follow to her face in understanding, "Yeah, that'd be great. If you don't mind," Bozer agrees.
Riley smiles gratefully, "I'd be happy to."
After packaging the chicken soup and helping load it in Jack's car, Riley presses the box of DayQuil into Jack's hands, "Mind returning that for me?"
Jack nods his understanding, "No problem. Don't worry, I'm not going to let anything happen to Mac. You'll get the chance to make this right."
"Yeah, yeah I know." Riley replies wiping away an stray tear, "I'm just worried about him."
Jack pulls her into a hug and kisses her on the top of the head, "I know, sweetheart, I know."
When Doc Pierce walks into medical at 18:45, Camilla announces, "You've got a patient waiting in Exam 1."
"How is Dalton?" Doc questions with a shake of the head.
"His vitals are all normal. He reports feeling quote '100% and more than capable of helping with Mac' end quote. However, he still appears a little fatigued and sounds slightly congested," Cam advises.
"Doc, how's Mac?" Jacks asks as soon as Doc Pierce enters the room.
"Since you're here, I suspect Matty's already told you that. How about you tell me how YOU are? The truth, and not that 100% garbage. AND before you insist that you're fine, you should know that I won't release you if I so much as suspect that you're hiding something from me. Got it?" Doc returns.
Jack goes on to confirm feeling a bit run down with a lingering cough and some congestion, but is more than insistent that he's up to the task of caring for Mac. Doc Pierce has been head of Phoenix Medical for a long time and is especially familiar with Mac and Jack; so much so that he's learned their tells.
"So what aren't you telling me?" Doc inquires.
"Nothing Doc, really I…" Jack starts.
"… Do you want to be cleared or not?" Doc interrupts impatiently.
"Fine. I sliced my foot yesterday on a piece of the same mug that Mac cut himself on. It was cleaned and dressed immediately though," Jack admits.
"Let me see," Doc Pierce instructs and after examining and redressing the wound continues, "Alright, I don't see any signs of infection setting in. But I do want you to keep an eye on it. I want any swelling, redness, rash, blisters, or other changes reported immediately. In fact, I think a preventative course of oral antibiotics is in order. And continue with the over the counter flu meds until the cough and congestion resolves. Also, I want you to get at least seven hours of consecutive sleep so no sitting up with Mac all hours of the night."
"So I'm clear!?" Jack asks hopefully.
"Conditionally, yes. BUT I'm adding your name to the 6PM mobile medical rotation too. They'll be checking that wound, ensuring your compliant with meds, and monitoring your vitals. If I think your own health is being compromised, I will pull you out. Is that understood?" Doc verifies.
"Yes, yes sir. Thanks Doc!" Jack replies, he'd have agreed to just about anything that meant he could see Mac.
"Alright then. Go on, get out of here." Doc dismisses.
About 30 minutes later, Matty is opening her front door for Jack.
"Hey, how's our boy doing?" Jack asks.
"He's been given first round of IV antibiotics and fluids. He fever is down to 102.8°. The MMR team will come at 6 AM, Noon, and 6 PM, but we'll be responsible for hooking up the IVs at midnight. They showed me how so I'll teach you later tonight. He's sleeping now but you can take the bag in there and sit with him for a little bit. Then you should get some rest yourself. Doc Pierce relayed your orders to me. The IVs run about an hour so I expect you'll head to bed afterward and sleep from about 1:00 to at least 8:00 in the morning, yes?"
"Yes, Matty." Jack confirms while suppressing an eye roll.
"Good." Matty returns.
Jack set Mac's bag at the foot of the bed and takes a seat on the step stool next to the bed. Mac seems to be sleeping hard, he's mouth is open and he's snoring and drooling a bit. Jack refrains from running a hand through his friends hair and risk waking him. Jack would probably have sat and watched Mac sleep until midnight if Matty hadn't run him out of the room and forced him to settle down in the study for nap. Matty returns and wakes Jack at 23:40, he is surprised to learn he took a three hour nap.
"I figured we'd keep you and MacGyver on that same medication schedule," Matty explains handing Jack the oral antibiotic and DayQuil.
After Jack complies with his medications, Matty advises that she usually has to give Mac the disintegrating nausea pill first and wait a couple of minutes. They gather up the meds, IV bags, and a bottle of Gatorade, and head to Mac's room. Mac is still slumbering away.
"Man, I hate to wake him when he's sleeping so good," Jack states.
"I agree, but Doc emphasized the importance of keeping to the schedule." Matty returns.
"Hey Mac, buddy, can you wake up for a bit?" Jack asks as he gently pats Mac's cheeks, surprised by the warmth.
"No. G'way." Mac mumbles swatting the hand away, the words cut Jack to the quick even though he suspects Mac isn't fully aware.
The movement causes his stomach to roll and he begins sucking in breaths to try and quiet the nausea.
"Here Mac, take this. It'll help." Matty offers pressing the tablet to his lips.
He opens and lets her place the medication in his mouth, then eases back as let's the pill dissolve. After a couple of minute he opens his eyes and Matty hands him the other medications and the Gatorade, which he takes without a word.
"We're going to set up another round of antibiotics and saline IVs, alright Mac?" Matty explains.
Mac brow furrows in puzzlement and he looks around the room to see who else is there. Upon landing on Jack, his eyes fill and shine with unshed tears.
"Hey buddy, don't worry. We're going to get you all better," Jack smiles, holding back tears himself.
"Jack, you… you came." Mac whispers with a sigh.
"Of course, did you think I wouldn't?" Jack asks sincerely.
Mac gives a slight shrug and looks away, but Jack reaches out and gently guides Mac chin until they are making eye contact.
"Family takes care of family, remember?" Jack assures.
"I'm sorry about…" Mac begins.
"…Shh, I promise we'll talk about all that when you're feeling better, Right now just know that you have nothing to be sorry for, and no one is upset or angry with you. Okay?" Jack interrupts.
"No one?" Mac questions uncertainly.
"No one," Jack confirms.
Mac still looks doubtful, but nods his understanding anyway.
Jack continues, "Good. Now, let's get these IVs set up."
Mac dozes off and sleeps through the run of the IVs. He wakes when Matty and Jack are disconnecting the bags. Matty is the first to notice the blue eyes tracking their movements.
"Hey there, we're all finished. We'll leave you to get some rest, alright Blondie?" Matty greets.
"Yeah, we should probably get some shut eye too." Jack adds.
Matty leaves and Jack starts to follow, but Mac grabs a hold of Jack's hand.
"Hey now, it's alright. Do you want me to stay until you fall back asleep?," Jack asks.
Mac shakes his head slightly, "Help me to the bathroom?"
"Isn't that what this is for?" Jack asks, picking up an empty urine collection container from the night stand.
"That's just for emergencies." Mac replies, disdain evident in his voice.
Jack chuckles, "Alright hoss, alright."
Jack is surprised when he has to take on all of Mac's weight to keep him from crumpling to the floor. The poor kid is limp as a wet noodle and Jack figures that this is what it was like for Mac in Africa.
When Mac tries to push him back and close the bathroom door, Jack inquires, "Whoa, you sure you've got this pal? I'll absolutely help you stay upright if you need me to, you've done as much for me."
"Nah, I'm good." Mac replies and closes the bathroom door.
'Stubborn kid,' Jack thinks ruefully listening carefully to ensure the kid doesn't fall over; it doesn't take him long to figure out that Mac didn't need help because he had no intention of standing.
Matty pokes her head into the guest room to run Jack out so they can both rest. When she finds Jack leaning against the the wall next to the bathroom door, she knows to give it a few more minutes.
Mac is overwhelmed by exhaustion after he finishes. He leans his head on the bathroom wall electing to rest for a second before making himself get up, and drifts off to sleep. Matty returns ten minutes later to find Jack anxiously checking his watch.
"Everything okay?" She asks.
"I don't know. It's quiet, but he's been in there a while," Jack admits.
"Probably won't hurt to ask." Matty suggests and leaves the room again.
Jack knocks lightly on the door, "Mac, buddy, everything alright in there?"
When he's met with silence Jack tries the door, grateful to find it unlocked. He sees Mac still on the toilet, but slumped against the wall fast asleep. Jack sighs, knowing there is no way to do this without embarrassing his friend.
"Mac, come on, wake up for me," Jack encourages gently shaking Mac's shoulders, "You'll be a lot more comfortable back in bed."
Mac slowly comes around and upon realizing where he is and what's happened, flushes bright red. He scrambles to get up and Jack has to catch him when he nearly face plants.
"Hey, easy now. Let me help." Jack soothes while quickly jerking up Mac's pants from around his ankles.
The sudden movement doing no favors for his stomach as Mac moans and tries to pull away, "Jack stop."
"Sorry dude, it's nothing…" Jack begins, but trails off as Mac wiggles out of his grasp and drops to his knees puking.
Mac manages to crawl his way to the toilet, but not before also covering the front of shirt and a good portion of the tile floor in vomit. Once Mac manages to bring up more bile than Jack would have thought the stomach could hold, he collapses onto the floor laying miserably in his own mess.
"Aw bud. You're really struggling with this," Jack sighs, feeling horrible that Mac caught his flu.
Matty pokes her head in to take in the scene, "I'll be back with some water and another Zofran tablet. Once his nausea is under control, we can get him cleaned up and back to bed."
After they got Mac sitting on the toilet again, Matty hands Jack a bowl of soapy water and leaves to allow Jack to help Mac wash and change clothes. Mac is out the moment he's back in bed. Matty returns and she and Jack work to clean up with bathroom. They take the towels and sweats down and start the washer.
"Well Jack, you should go to bed. And seeing as it's now closer to 2:00, I expect you to sleep until 9:00. I'll wake you briefly at 6AM so you can take your meds, but you will be going back to sleep. Got it?" Matty instructs.
At 6:00 that morning, Mac and Jack each awoke just long enough to comply with taking their medications. Mac also had to endure a routine exam, but both men quickly turned over and went back to sleep. A little after 10:00, Jack begins to stir. Noting the time, he hops out of bed and quickly changes before making his way down the hall. Peeking in the door, he realizes that Mac is still fast asleep and heads down to the kitchen to see about some coffee and maybe some light breakfast.
"Morning Jack. How are you feeling?" Matty greets as Jack enters.
"Pretty good, actually. How's Mac?" Jack returns.
"The antibiotics seem to be working. His fever is down to 101.9 this morning. I thought we'd see about trying to get him to eat something. Any suggestions?"
Jack's stomach growls in answer.
Matty chuckles, "Of course, I guess we should get you to eat something too."
Jack looks slightly embarrassed, "Yeah, I brought the stuff to make the brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal he likes with a sliced banana in it. I'll just have the same, but without the banana; that's just weird."
"Say's the guy who puts pickles, mustard, grape jelly, and BBQ chips on his bologna sandwiches." Matty grimaces.
"I'm telling you, it's like those little cocktail franks on a sandwich with an awesome crunch!" Jack replies getting up to make the afore mentioned oatmeal.
"Gross Jack, just gross." Matty replies shaking her head.
"It's called a culinary delight." Jack calls back over his shoulder.
Mac awakes pleased to find that he is feeling a bit better. He looks down at his pajamas and groans as the memory of the bathroom incident returns.
"Hey, we thought we heard you up. We brought you some breakfast." Jack greets cheerily.
Mac looks over and notices the baby monitor for the first time, making a mental note to shut it off next time he's alone in the room. Make eats the sliced banana and a little of the oatmeal, but finishes the provided apple juice.
After Matty leaves with the tray, Jack asks, "Do you need help to the bathroom?"
Mac immediately reddens, but manages an embarrassed nod.
After Africa, Jack wouldn't dream of teasing the kid and merely helps him to the bathroom wordlessly. Thankfully, everything goes smoothly this time round.
"Thanks," Mac says once he's back in bed.
"Of course." Jack replies.
"And sorry about last time…" Mac starts.
"… You have nothing to be sorry for. It's nothing you wouldn't have done for me. We all need help sometime. You don't need to apologize for it," Jack interjects, "But while we're on the topic, I'm so sorry for the way I treated you and the things I said the day before last. I didn't mean them, any of them."
"S'okay. You weren't feeling well and I did break…" Mac tries.
"… It's not okay. Apparently you weren't feeling well either, but you didn't behave like a jerk. And you didn't break that mug, it was already held together by glue. I was the idiot that decided to traipse across the floor barefooted before the mess was cleaned up. AND before you say it, the fire was an accident and honestly the only thing harmed was a stupid roll of paper towels. So like I said, nothing to feel guilty about. Oh, and Riley asked me to return these to you. She feels horrible and is also anxious to apology to you," Jack explains handing Mac the box of DayQuil, "Where did you go by the way?"
"Huh?" Mac asks, fingers tracing the box of medicine.
"There was three hours between when Riley turned you away and you showed up at the convenience store half a block away. Where were you?" Jack rephrases.
"Oh, uh, I took a nap." Mac answers sheepishly.
"Alright, but where?" Jack inquires.
"On your fire escape." Mac admits.
"ON THAT COLD RAINY NIGHT! Geez, no wonder you're sicker than a dog!" Jack gasps.
Mac shrugs, "I was too tired to think."
"Well, try to get some more rest. We want that fever to keep going down." Jack urges while gently carding his fingers through Mac's hair until his boy drifts off.
AN: I've noticed that I like to end my chapters with Mac falling asleep. Anyway, hope you are enjoying the story. Please review! I think I'll be able to wrap this story up in the next chapter or two, but no promises. Sometimes inspiration hits and the story begs to go on.