The Sydney Strain
The Sydney Strain
Rating: G
Word count: 462
Spoilers: None
Timeline: 2013
Daniel has the stomach flu. Vala has questions for Lam.
“But Caro! A superbug? That’s not possible. Daniel has eaten not one single bug-not even when they offered them to us last week on PX86753-oh whatever that silly planet was. I wouldn’t let him.”
“Vala-“
She didn’t allow Carolyn to finish before she pulled her cell down and asked Daniel, “Darling! You did not eat those bugs, when I went to the mine with Mitchell did you? Because Carolyn is saying something about superbugs.”
Daniel was about to explain but couldn’t because he had to head for the bathroom.
Vala returned the phone back to her ear. “Will he get better once the bug is out? Will I need to zat it, or will it be dead on arrival? Because, you know, I have yet to recover from Teal’c making me watch that thing ooze from Chekhov’s ear in Wrath of Khan, ”
“This from a former host,” Carolyn muttered. “Vala, what I tried to say before you stopped listening was that a superbug is a virus-not an actual insect. Daniel has what we call the stomach flu-though it isn’t the flu. Not that it matters, but he has a norovirus-in this case, the Sydney Strain. Keep him hydrated and try to make him rest. No working on his laptop. He can take Advil or something for fever, any aches or pains. He can take Dramamine to help with the nausea. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Rest, Vala. Quiet.”
“Crystal clear, Caro. Thanks. Bye.”
Vala went to the kitchen to grab Daniel a glass of ginger ale and then headed after him. He was already in bed when she walked in their room.
“Darling, Caro said to drink this.” She placed the glass next to him on the bedside table; then she reach out to run her fingers through his hair. “I am going to get you some things from the drug store, and I will be right back. I love you, Daniel.”
He grunted in response as he pulled the blanket over his head.
****
“Take this, Daniel. Caro says it will help.”
“You’re back.” He took the Dramamine and washed it down with the ginger ale he hadn’t touched.
“Yes. And I got several things the Internet suggested. I have Gatorade, some Coke, crackers, and more ginger ale. Can I get you anything?”
“Not right now."
“All right then, nap time.” She crawled in the bed behind him.
“Vala, you will catch it.”
“Silly, I never get your illnesses. I am staying right here with you, so I can get you anything you need.” She pressed against his back. “This way, I can make sure you don’t do any work.”
“I can promise, you sweetheart, no work this time,” and he fell asleep.