Mia returned to her small flat, the weight of the package heavy in her hands. She opened it carefully, revealing another container of Mediterranean bath scrub - the same brand she had gifted to Jaz and Hannah when the team first relocated to Hungary after the British team's murder.
With practiced movements, she emptied the contents into a bowl and began dropping spoonfuls of a smooth white powder into the mixture, adding more than she had been. The experimental substance was odorless, leaving the lime and coconut scent of the scrub untainted. It was virtually undetectable unless someone knew to look for it. All she knew was she had to destroy Top and take away everything that made him, him. Taking out Jaz who she deeply despised with her very fiber was only the icing on the cake.
As she mixed, Mia's mind wandered to Hannah. She had proven to be a difficult test subject, not using the scrub daily. But the weak skin from the deep scars on her back had allowed too much to seep into her system at once, sending her into systemic shock. Mia had found her dead on the bathroom floor, the scrub dumped in the shower. She'd quickly discarded the remaining scrub and shot Hannah to make it look like a break-in. Jaz, on the other hand, had been a much better experiment. She loved the scrub and used it daily, giving Mia's potential buyers a clearer picture of the formula's effectiveness.
Finishing her work, Mia repackaged the scrub. She knew if she presented it as a peace offering, a gift for poor, sick Jaz, it would only make the team look more paranoid to Top for not trusting her.
At Top's safehouse, Mia suggested they visit Amir and Jaz's place to check on the team. Top hesitated but agreed, his worry for Jaz overriding his caution.
When they arrived, Amir greeted them with barely concealed annoyance. "I can't believe you showed up without Patricia's okay after yesterday," he muttered, leading them inside.
Top followed Amir, with Mia close behind. The sight that greeted him in the bedroom sent a surge of jealousy through his body. Jaz was in bed, with McG curled protectively around her.
Top approached the bed where Jaz lay sleeping, McG's arm protectively draped over her. Ignoring the pang of jealousy in his chest, he gently placed his hand on Jaz's forehead. Her skin was warm, but not as burning hot as he'd feared.
Jaz's eyes flew open at his touch, wild and unfocused. She jerked away, her breath coming in quick, panicked gasps.
"Jaz, it's me," Top said softly, trying to keep his voice calm. "It's Adam. You're safe."
Recognition slowly dawned in her eyes, followed quickly by embarrassment. "Top?" she croaked, her voice hoarse. "What are you doing here?"
Before he could answer, McG stirred beside her, instantly alert. "What's going on?" he demanded, his eyes darting between Jaz and Top.
"I just wanted to check on her," Top explained, a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
Jaz closed her eyes, clearly overwhelmed. "I'm fine," she muttered, though her pale face and trembling hands said otherwise.
Mia couldn't hide her amusement at seeing the usually cool and collected sniper acting like a scared child. McG, now fully awake, was furious at the disturbance. Just as he opened his mouth to tear into Top, hewas saved by yet another knock at the door. It was preach who had been let in by another tenant in the building. Preach walked in calmy surveying the scene before him. Amir sighed. "So much for not blowing our cover." He walked over to Top and handed him the phone. "Patricia wants a word."
Top reached out once more time towards Jaz, but McG intercepted his hand. "She needs rest," he said firmly. "Not to be startled awake."
The tension between the two men was palpable, broken only when Jaz spoke again. "McG? Can I... can I try to take a shower?"
McG's expression softened as he turned to her. "Are you sure you're up for that, Jazzy?"
She nodded weakly. "I feel gross. Please?"
"Alright," McG agreed, his voice gentle. "But I'm giving you a three-minute limit, okay? Any longer and you might overexert yourself."
As McG helped Jaz out of bed, Top stepped back, feeling suddenly out of place in the intimate moment between his teammates.
As Top stepped out to take the call, Jaz turned to McG. "How about that shower now?"
As she was practically carried across the room by McG, Mia quickly followed and presented Jaz with a small box. I remembered you said you were out of the body scrub you loved so much," she said with a smile. "I found some in town and thought it would make a nice get-well gift."
Jaz mumbled a thank you as McG helped her to the bathroom.
In the bathroom, McG turned on the shower, testing the water temperature with his hand. "Okay, Jaz. Remember, three minutes. I'll be right here if you need anything."
Jaz nodded, leaning heavily against the sink. "McG?" she said quietly. "Thank you. For everything."
He gave her a soft smile. "That's what family's for, right? Now, in you go. Clock's ticking."
As Jaz showered, McG leaned against the wall listening carefully for any signs of distress. When he heard her call out weakly, he was next to the shower in an instant.
Jaz mumbled, her energy clearly spent. "Can't... can't do anymore."
"You did great," McG assured her, wrapping her in a large towel. He helped her out of the shower, supporting most of her weight. "Let's get you dried off and back to bed, okay?"
As he helped her dress, Jaz's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "This isn't exactly how I pictured you getting me naked, Joseph," she joked weakly.
McG chuckled, relieved to hear a glimpse of her usual humor. "Trust me, Jazzy, in my fantasies, you're in much better shape."
Jaz raised an eyebrow, a ghost of her usual smirk playing on her lips. "Oh? You have fantasies about me, McGuire?"
McG felt his own cheeks warm slightly. "Well, you know," he fumbled, trying to keep his tone light, "a guy can dream, right?"
"And in these dreams," Jaz pressed, her voice still weak but with a hint of her usual teasing, "what exactly am I doing?"
McG gently helped her to her feet, supporting most of her weight. "Oh, you know, the usual," he said, playing along. "Kicking ass, taking names, making me look bad in front of Top."
Jaz let out a soft laugh that quickly turned into a cough. McG's arm tightened around her waist, concern flooding his features.
"Easy there, Jazzy," he murmured. "Let's get you back to bed before you swoon over my charm and good looks."
As they made their way slowly back to the bedroom, Jaz leaned heavily against him. "Your charm and good looks?" she scoffed weakly. "More like your big ego."
McG couldn't help but smile. Even sick and barely able to stand, Jaz was still Jaz.
Once he had her settled back in bed, McG's demeanor shifted from playful to professional. "Alright, let's check you out," he said, reaching for his medical kit.
Jaz watched him quietly as he took her vitals, her eyes following his movements. There was something comforting about the familiar routine, about McG's gentle but confident touch.
"Well?" she asked as he finished, trying to read his expression.
McG sat on the edge of the bed, his face thoughtful. "Your vitals are better," he said slowly. "Not great, but definitely improved. Blood pressure's coming up, fever's down a bit."
Jaz nodded, relief washing over her. "So... good news?"
"Cautiously optimistic news," McG corrected with a small smile. He reached for her arm, examining the IVs. "I think we can remove one of these. We'll keep you on fluids with the other one, just to be safe."
As he carefully removed one of the IVs, Jaz winced slightly. McG's touch immediately gentled even further.
"Sorry," he murmured. "Almost done."
Once he finished, he looked up to find Jaz watching him intently. "What?" he asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"Nothing," Jaz said softly. "Just... thank you. For taking care of me. For being here."
McG felt a lump form in his throat. He reached out and squeezed her hand gently. "Always, Jaz. You know that."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of everything they'd been through hanging between them. Then McG cleared his throat, his voice taking on a lighter tone.
"Besides," he said with a grin, "who else is going to keep you humble? Can't have you thinking you're invincible."
Jaz rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in her gaze. "Please," she scoffed. "As if your ego needs any more inflating."
McG laughed, standing up. "Get some rest, Jazzy. Doctor's orders."
As he turned to leave, Jaz called out softly, "Hey, McG?"
He looked back. "Yeah?"
"In my fantasies," she said with a weak but mischievous smile, "you talk less."
McG's laughter echoed down the hallway as he left, his heart lighter than it had been in days. Maybe, just maybe, they were turning a corner.
While she was in the shower, Preach busied himself by changing her bedding. He was relieved to hear McG's boisterous laugh coming from the room and took a deep breath hoping things were finally on the upswing. McG told him he was going to take a quick shower and Preach made his way into the room to help get Jaz into bed, tucking the blankets around her with fatherly care.
"There you go, sweetheart," Preach said softly. "Comfy?"
Jaz managed a small smile. "You're treating me like one of your little girls, Preach."
He chuckled warmly. "Well, you're just as stubborn as they are. How are you feeling, really?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Jaz admitted. "Then the truck backed up and hit me again."
Preach's eyes crinkled with concern. "You've been through a lot girl, but if they Taliban and Cuds can't take you out, pretty safe to say no one can. You'll beat this."
"Thanks, Preach," Jaz murmured, her eyes already starting to drift closed.
A short while later, Amir appeared with a small bowl of steaming soup. "Special delivery," he announced softly.
Jaz's eyes fluttered open, and she inhaled deeply. "Is that... your mom's pastina?"
Amir nodded, looking pleased. "I thought you could use some comfort food. Think you can manage a few bites?"
With McG's help, Jaz sat up slightly. "I'll try," she said, determination in her voice.
Amir held the spoon to her lips, his movements gentle and patient. "No rush," he said. "Just a little at a time."
Jaz managed a few sips before shaking her head. "Sorry, Amir. It's delicious, but..."
"Hey, no apologies," Amir said firmly. "You did great. There's plenty more when you're feeling up to it."
In the shower, McG let the hot water cascade over his tense muscles, his mind replaying the events of the past few days. Jaz's sudden illness, the team's growing suspicions, Top's erratic behavior...
He thought about the moment he'd found Jaz unconscious, how his heart had nearly stopped. The long nights of watching over her, terrified that each breath might be her last. The relief when she'd finally opened her eyes, followed by the crushing fear when her condition worsened again.
And Top... McG's jaw clenched as he thought about their CO's recent behavior. The man he'd trusted with his life countless times seemed like a stranger now. Distant, defensive, seemingly more concerned with Mia's feelings than Jaz's well-being.
What had happened to their tight-knit family? How had things fallen apart so quickly?
As the water began to cool, McG forced himself to focus. Whatever was going on, whatever had caused this rift, he knew one thing for certain: he would do whatever it took to protect Jaz. Even if it meant going against Top's orders.
With renewed determination, McG turned off the shower. It was time to face whatever came next and what was coming next was a shock to everyone. He was lost in his thought when he heard a commotion from the bedroom. Hastily pulling on his pants, he rushed out to find Jaz leaning over the bed, vomiting on the floor and on Top.
"I'm so sorry," Jaz gasped between heaves.
Top dismissed her apologies, looking at McG with growing alarm. "What's happening? She was getting better!"
McG rushed to Jaz's side. His heart was in his throat as he found her pulse racing and her fever spiking once again. As he pushed her hair back from her face, he saw with horror that the rash had returned.
At that moment, Preach burst into the room. "Noah called," he said urgently. "There were abnormal toxin levels in Hannah's bloodwork, and a blistered rash on the scars on her back."
The room was now full with every team member by Jaz's bedside. They all exchanged looks of dawning realization. Something was very wrong, and they were just beginning to put the pieces together.