Before long, the orderly returns with a wheelchair for Xander; once Xander has relocated himself to the wheelchair, he follows Rob and General Gong to the rehabilitation ward. They find Danny standing outside one of the rooms, shivering violently even though he has a thick blanket wrapped over his shoulders.
"Don't worry about the shivering," Danny assures as he hears them approach. "It's just a symptom of withdrawal; give it a few hours, and I'll be OK."
"Withdrawal?" Rob asks. "I thought you only got a small dose?"
"Kaede's infernal concoction is extremely potent," Danny explains.
"Is there no antidote?" Xander asks.
"No-one knows what sort of compound it is," Danny answers. "As a result, the medical staff refuse to administer anything, in case they get it wrong. But don't feel sorry for me; save that for Sally. She got a full dose, and… well… see for yourself."
Rob and Xander look into the room to see Sally strapped down to the bed; she is thrashing violently against her restraints, babbling furiously despite the breathing tube in her throat.
"She slips in and out of this state a few times an hour," Danny continues. "Normally she'd be on a sedative drip, but-"
"Without knowing what she was drugged with, they daren't administer anything," Rob finishes.
"Exactly," Danny confirms.
"Why are you watching her?" Xander asks.
"Because I failed to protect her," Danny explains simply.
The three friends watch Sally as she slips into unconsciousness; as she does so, her thrashing and babbling cease.
"What's worse is, every time I look at her, I taste blueberries," Danny reveals.
"That's… odd," Rob observes.
"Ever since I woke up after the rocket hit the throne room," Danny adds.
"Why is that bad?" Rob asks.
"They're her favourite fruit," Danny answers.
"Synaesthesia," Xander explains; Rob and Danny look at him with surprise and confusion. "I hear colours, always have done," Xander continues. "Figured may as well learn the word for it."
"How come you never told us?" Danny asks.
"Never seemed important till now," Xander answers.
"What can you taste when you look at us?" Rob asks.
"You, spinach; Xander, mint," Danny answers.
Silence descends.
"Have you been to see Maria yet?" Rob asks eventually.
"No," Danny answers. "I… haven't been able to summon the courage."
"I know exactly how you feel," Rob sighs.
Silence descends again.
"There's no sense delaying it any longer; let's go," Danny declares softly.