He had assumed that a change of scenery would have done him good but Daniel was now curled up on the sofa feeling just as miserable has he had all day.

It was early evening and there was little to no let up in his nausea or the pain in his stomach. There was wasn't much he could do as he was now maxed out on medication and he was considering a trip to Janet's infirmary to see if she could give him anything stronger. Actually, the trip to the mountain might not be a bad idea as not only did he feel rotten he also felt really lonely, something he hadn't felt for a long time. Being ill did that to a person though he supposed. Maybe this caring for himself on his own wasn't all it was cracked up to be after all.

Mind made up, he decided that he'd much prefer to be sick in the comfort of his personal quarters at work with Janet's good drugs just a call away. The problem was though; he wasn't sure how he was going to get there as he felt extremely weak and dizzy. It probably wasn't a good idea to drive himself in and he didn't want to call the base to ask someone to collect him as he was sure his call would be diverted straight away to the infirmary and he wasn't that sick – it was just a tummy bug.

Perhaps Mr Langston at number 47 would give him a lift; he'd always urged Daniel to ask him if he needed anything. He hadn't wanted to bother him before but he had to admit that he needed help at the moment.

Daniel unravelled himself from his quilt before managing to stand on shaking legs. He took a few deep breaths to ward off his dizziness and then staggered over to his bedroom where he quickly grabbed his overnight bag of clothes and toiletries and then sat on the edge of the bed to get changed. He was in half a mind to just go in his sweats but he was still cold and knew that it was frosty outside.

After struggling into warm pants and a sweater he reached down to try to put his socks on but when his side screamed at him in return he gave up and just shoved his bare feet into his sneakers.

He stood, hunched over slightly to protect his stomach and grabbed his bag. After quickly feeding his fish, he locked up and made his way down the corridor to Mr and Mrs Langston's apartment, an arm flung round his rebelling stomach. He gently knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered.

"Daniel," Albert Langston greeted as he opened the door. "What can I do for you my boy?"

Daniel smiled and tried to stand up a little straighter. "I'm so sorry to disturb you but I wondered if there was any chance you wouldn't mind giving me a lift to my work? I'm not feeling too good and don't really want to risk driving."

Albert quickly reached for his coat. "Of course I will but wouldn't you be better off staying in bed?" He frowned as he shrugged into it.

"I've been in bed most of the day and I'm not feeling much better," Daniel admitted. "I just want to get things checked out with the Doctor at the base."

"Would they not come out to you?" Albert grabbed his keys.

"It's just something I ate; I think I just need some stronger medication I think. I don't think it warrants a house call," Daniel smiled as reassuringly as he could. "If it's too much trouble..."

"Not at all Daniel, you know that. I'm just a little worried about you; you appear to be in pain, son."

"I'm fine," Daniel smiled again. "Nothing that Doctor Fraiser's good drugs won't fix," he pushed away from the wall when he realised he'd been listing to one side as they'd spoke.

"Come on then," Albert supported his elbow when Daniel couldn't help but sway. "Let's get you checked out," he guided Daniel down the corridor and Daniel was very glad for his support as the walls started to dim in and out.

Perhaps staying tucked up in bed had been a better idea.

Xxx

The journey to the mountain seemed to take an eternity to Daniel as he concentrated on not throwing up in his friend's car. The nausea was back as was a growing fever and he'd been dozing on and off, the coolness of the car window feeling wonderful against his hot forehead as he rested it against it. He had been aware of Albert shooting him looks of concern but felt too wiped out to actually assure him he was fine. He just curled up, feeling dreadful and when the familiar outline of the mountain came into view, he could have wept with joy.

"Can you just pull up over there, if that's okay?" He managed to sit up slightly and pointed at the pull in before the first check in gate.

"Are you sure?" Albert pulled the car into the pull in as asked. "I could go a little closer," he turned the ignition off and turned to face Daniel. "No offence Daniel, you look awful. Are you sure you're gonna make it the rest of the way?"

Daniel turned his head and smiled as best he could. "I'll be fine, Albert," he promised and reached down and grabbed his bag. "Thank you so much for the lift." He turned to open the car door but had to hang his head and groan when pain laced through his stomach again.

"Daniel?" He could feel Albert rubbing his back as he tried to get the pain under control and was very grateful for his support. "Should I get someone?"

Daniel managed to shake his head as the pain diminished. "No, I'm fine," he managed to reassure when he got himself under control. "Thank you again," he flashed his friend a smile and then opened the door. "Take care driving home," he turned and stated.

"You take care too," Albert smiled.

"I will," Daniel closed the car door, managed to straighten slightly and, with one arm still wrapped round his middle, he slowly made his way to the entrance of the mountain, knowing that Albert was watching his every move. When he made it to the first check in, he turned and gave his chauffer a wave and a cheery smile, trying to assure him that although he felt awful, he would be fine.

He would be fine, wouldn't he?

xxx

Janet Fraiser looked up from her huge pile of files when she heard a soft knock on her door.

"Just what are you doing here?" She asked Daniel who was leaning heavily against the doorframe. "I thought you were supposed to be resting at home?"

"I can't keep anything down," Daniel shrugged, wrapping an arm protectively round his middle.

Janet sighed, closed her file, reached for her stethoscope and hung it round her neck. "Why didn't you call me," she tutted as she crossed to the ailing man's side.

"Thought I'd sleep and feel better," Daniel shrugged again.

"Well," Janet stood with her hands on her hips as she took in Daniel's pale features. "You're pretty pale and..."She reached and placed her hand on his forehead "...you're running a temperature. Come on, let's give you the once over," she sighed, supported his elbow and stirred him over to the one free bed in her infirmary. "I think I'd rather you had kept your bugs to yourself, Doctor Jackson," she scolded light heartedly and drew the curtain round the bed.

"Sorry," Daniel hung his head as he struggled to sit down on the edge of the bed. "Just couldn't stop throwing up," he looked up and gave Janet wan smile.

"Well," Janet reached for her thermometer. "Let's check you out and if you're a good boy you'll get a suppository and perhaps a fluid drip," she smiled as she placed the thermometer in his ear. "When was the last time you kept anything down?"

Daniel fidgeted on the bed, trying to ease the pain in his stomach. "Um," he thought for a while. "Yesterday afternoon," he admitted, wrapping his arm round his stomach again when the pain increased.

"101.8," Janet sighed after the thermometer beeped. She then placed it back on the bedside table and then visually assessed her patient. "Are you in pain?" She asked, taking in his hunched over position.

"Stomach cramps," Daniel looked up and admitted, biting down on his bottom lip as he tried to contain the pain.

"You look like you're in too much pain for stomach cramps. Can you lie down so I can examine you further?"

"Not sure I can," Daniel sighed as he curled into himself even more. "It really hurts, Janet."

"Okay, let's try." Janet gently pushed his shoulder and Daniel carefully and slowly lay down, remaining in his curled up position on the bed.

"I need you on your back," Janet ordered and with a great effort, Daniel rolled over, gasping in pain at the change of position.

When Janet then gently eased his legs down, he whimpered in pain again. "I won't be long," she quickly assured as she pulled up his sweater. "Just want to see what's going on and then we'll get you some pain relief." She palpated the left side of his abdomen, watching her patient at all times for reaction. Daniel lay still, his eyes closed and grunting softly in pain. Happy that he didn't show too much distress at her action she moved her hands to the right side of his abdomen, having a hunch before she touched him exactly what his response she was going to get. Sure enough, when she pressed down slightly, Daniel began to groan and when she lessoned the pressure, he arched off the bed and screamed.

"It's okay, easy," she soothed as she then helped him back onto his side where Daniel immediately curled up in a ball again. "Take some deep breaths; I'm just going to get you some pain relief." She patted his leg, placed an emesis bowl in reach and retreated out of the curtained off area. "Dawn," she spotted her senior nurse coming out of the main office. "Can you give Doctor Jackson 5cc of Morphine please," she gave her college a sad smile as she walked towards her.

"Oh?" Dawn frowned.

"Appendicitis," Janet shrugged. "I'm just going to give Warner a call and get an OR sorted."

"Oh, dear," Dawn sighed as she made her way to the medical cabinet.

"Give the drug five minutes to work and then get Mark to give you a hand to get a gown on him. I'll be back in a minute with a cannular set and ultra sound. Warner will want to go in as soon as possible."

"Yes, Doctor Fraiser." Dawn quickly removed the vials of Morphine out of the cabinet, called Mark over and they both disappeared behind the curtained off bed.

Janet hurried into her office and closed the door behind her.

She had an important telephone call to make.