"Ah, Detective Sergeant Jardine," Michael turned to find the doctor from before coming towards him, "I trust you're here about your colleague."

Michael nodded, "Has she woken up yet?"

The doctor shook his head, "Not yet, but it shouldn't be too long now."

"Do you mind if, ah," Michael cleared his throat, "if I go in and sit with her?"

The doctor gave him an understanding smile, "Of course not," he replied, indicating for Michael to go in.

Michael took a steadying breath before entering the room; taking the nearby seat he regarded her for a few moments. Almost without thinking he reached out and took her hand, "Come on Jackie, you need to fight this off, you can't leave me with Jim Taggart," he joked with a small smile.

He started a little as she smiled softly and opened her eyes, "Can't have that now can we?" she teased, a little groggily.

Michael favoured her with a relieved smile, "How are you feeling?"

Jackie shrugged, "I've been better," she confessed lightly.

Michael smiled and was about to comment when he noticed that she was bleeding.

"What is it?" she asked noticing his concerned expression.

"Your eye is bleeding," he said, starting to stand in order to get a nurse.

Jackie opened her mouth to reply, only no words came out, just a rush of blood.

Michael was certain that the look of agonised terror on her face would stay with him for a long time as he rushed out of the room to find help.

As the doctor and a couple of nurses rushed into the room, Michael slumped into one of the chairs outside, burying his head in his hands.

And that was how Taggart found him, a couple of hours later. Michael looked up at him as he approached and Jim was struck by how worn out he looked, "She's got internal bleeding," Michael whispered.

Taggart closed his eyes briefly, unwilling to believe that he could lose one of his officers to a snake bite of all things.