"Well?" Taggart demanded as he strode into the hospital ward.
"They've given her the anti-venom, she should be fine," Michael told him, failing to keep the concern from his tone.
"Someone should stay with her until she's recovered," Taggart said, looking through the window to where Jackie lay. He glanced at Michael, "Find a uniform, I need you on the case," Taggart continued before Michael could protest, "there's nothing you can do for her," he added, softening his tone slightly.
Michael gave a reluctant nod and the two men turned to leave when they were stopped by the sound of sirens going off in Jackie's room. Both men turned to find her convulsing on the bed.
"Nurse!" Taggart barked as he and Michael rushed back to the window.
Michael would have gone into the room but he was pushed back by hospital staff as they rushed in to attend her.
Taggart made a half-hearted attempt to move Michael away, but gave up and stood with him as they watched them inject something into Jackie's drip. After a few more agonising moments her convulsing stopped and she lay still.
Taggart felt Michael tense beside him as the doctor stepped out of the room. "She's had an allergic reaction to the antidote, nothing to be worried about," he assured them, "we've given her some antihistamine and adrenaline, along with a sedative to help her to relax. She should be fine now," he added.
"That's what you said before," Michael muttered.
Taggart chose to ignore him and noted that the doctor did the same, "Thanks for your help, Doctor, we'll come back when she's awake," he said. The doctor nodded and, with a final glance at Michael, left.
"You can't blame yourself for this, Michael," Taggart said, leading the way out of the hospital.
"I shouldn't have made her feed that bloody dog," Michael said bitterly.
"Makes no difference, Michael, there still would have been a victim," Taggart told him.
"That doesn't make me feel any better, sir," Michael told him as they left the hospital.
"Michael, the doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be either," Taggart counselled as they got into the car.
"This is Jackie we're talking about, sir, I can't help it," Michael confessed, starting the engine.
"Aye, I suppose you can't," Taggart conceded as they drove off.
