Shock

Jason leans next to Katie, resting a hand on her back and rubbing softly, just letting her hug her dad and cry. She needed this. It was so painful, yet it was a very real part of life.

Jeff's chest rises and falls so slowly, that in between breaths, each seemed to be his last.

Suddenly he fills his lungs quickly and gives a jolt. Giving a little cry of pain, he starts to shake uncontrollably, his eyes going wide.

Jason pulls Katie back as Jeff rolls over, starting to vomit. In less than a second, Rick is there as well, as a few moments of unexpected chaos ensue. Rick tries to keep Jeff still, while bewilderment fills him. "What... he..." He shakes his head. "He's going into some kind of shock but... but."

"What's happening?" Jason asks a bit sternly, still holding Katie closely.

"I... I don't..."

Jeff looks up at Rick, his eyes glazed, his voice still barely above a whisper. "What kind of..." A curse slips out, quite out of character for him. "...did you... put in me?"

Rick tries to work quickly, drawing some blood and then giving Jeff another shot, struggling against Jeff's shaking. "Easy... easy does it..."

Finally the vomiting stops and Jeff sinks back into his pillow, pale and soaking wet. "Is it... over yet?"

Rick already has his back turned, his eyes on the microscope he'd brought. His voice was stunned. "No... it's not." He looks up quickly, glancing to Katie. "It's working... it's... really working."

Jeff winces and cries out again, writhing under the sheets.

"Keep him still," Rick orders Katie. "I can't explain now, but he's going to go through heck here for about the next hour. You've got to keep him calm or his heart won't take it."