This is chapter one of a advent challenge I'm taking part in on one of my lists. It's totally unbeta'd and I have no idea where it's going but please, feel free and come along for the ride! Please ignore any mistakes, it's all for Christmas fun!
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
CHAPTER ONE – I SEE ANGELS (Prompt = Angels)
Daniel swallowed deeply when Sam passed him is MRE and then grimaced when its smell churned his stomach. It had been a long day of heavy negotiating with the elders of Howerton. He was more than exhausted and wanted no more than to go to bed.
Aware that his teammates were tucking into their evening meal with gusto, Daniel slowly dipped his spoon in his package and then gingery took a bite of the familiar chicken substitute but when his stomach rolled with nausea at the addition he placed his meal down, reached for his canteen, and took a tentative sip. He'd been feeling 'off' all day. He couldn't decide whether it was the heat or the stress of the negotiation but he'd battled with a headache since he'd woken this morning and no amount of Tylenol had touched it. The nausea had started as the sunset and the aching joints of what obviously was a climbing temperature had added to his misery about an hour ago. He was just glad that it was their last night on PX34 578 and hoped the upcoming Christmas break would give him a chance to relax and recover from what had been a full on three months of almost back to back off world missions.
With a heavy sigh, he grabbed his pack and started to route through it for his Tylenol.
"What ya lost, Daniel?" Jack asked as he reached to place another log on the dwindling fire.
"Just my Tylenol," Daniel mumbled, removing his spare socks in search of his medication.
"Headache?"
"Yeah, bit," Daniel admitted, pulling out his med pack. "Tired more than anything," he looked up and tried to flash a reassuring smile.
"You look a bit pale," Sam joined in the conversation in between mouthfuls of her meal.
"I've not felt that great all day," Daniel shrugged before washing down the capsules with a small sip of water. "I think I'm gonna turn in for the night, if that's okay with everyone?" He slowly screwed the cap back on his canteen and then returned it and his med pack to his backpack.
"Okay," Jack nodded and returned to his meal. "Do ya need Carter to check you out?" He asked, watching Daniel as he struggled to his feet.
"No, I'm fine," Daniel reassured with a slight smile. "It's been a long day. I just need a good night's sleep."
"Okay. I'll take first watch and we'll wake you for the last to give to time to rest."
"Thanks," Daniel smiled gratefully, hoping that a few hours of undisturbed sleep would make him feel better.
"We won't be long ourselves," Jack added. "We've got an early start back to the Gate in the morning. I wanna be on our way before it gets too hot."
Daniel nodded and then winched when it increased his headache. "See you in the morning," he sighed heavily.
"Sleep well," Sam smiled.
Daniel slowly walked over to his and Jack's tent, his head pounding with each step he took.
He just couldn't wait to go home; the thought of the icy Colorado winter air was strangely alluring at the moment.
Xxx
"He looks exhausted," Sam sighed, watching Daniel as he reached for a lamp before disappearing into the tent.
"Yeah," Jack agreed. "He's been going nonstop the last couple of days. We all have," he yawned.
Sam gathered together all the empty packages. "It's a good job we've got a few days off, sir. I think we all could do with a break."
"You'll get no argument from me on that one, Carter," Jack agreed, passing her his own now empty pack. "A few days at the cabin, with the fish jumping and a roaring fire will soon put the color back on Daniel's cheeks."
"Are you sure it's not too much trouble sir, I mean, I'm more than happy to stay on the base, infact..."
"You're not working over Christmas, Carter and that's an order." Jack added another log to the fire. "I've got lots planned," he grinned. "You're gonna be treated to an old fashion O'Neill Christmas, complete with carolling and snowman building."
"It sounds wonderful, sir. As long as it's not too much trouble?"
"Nope. No trouble. Teal'c and I have very thing in hand, don't we T man?"
"Indeed we have, O'Neill," Teal'c bowed.
Jack had been planning the Christmas break for his team as soon as General Hammond had sanctioned the leave and he'd included Teal'c in all the arrangements, as the Jaffa had never experienced the festive season on Earth before. He'd been surprised how much their new friend had enjoyed being involved and had really thrown himself into the Christmas spirit, educating himself by watching Santa Claus The Movie, A Christmas Carol and the Nativity over and over again. Teal'c had actually requested that he prepared a surprise for them all on Christmas Eve and Jack had been more than happy to oblige him as long as it didn't involve him dressing up in any way.
Now all he needed to do was to get his team home in one piece and then get everything organised.
This was going to be a truly wonderful relaxing Christmas.
xxx
Daniel crawled into his sleeping bag, removed his glasses and lay down. Even though they'd had the flaps of the tent open all evening to allow fresh air in, the tent was still oppressively hot and stuffy. His added fever made him feel uncomfortable and he debated whether he'd sleep on top of the covers or not but figured if he was going to have to spend the night alternating being hot and cold, he'd be better off cocooned in first and he'd deal with what happened after.
Knowing that sleep would be the best thing for him, he tried to relax his aching limbs and clear his mind. He had figured that, as exhausted as he was, he'd be a sleep as soon as his head touched the pillow but now he was finally in bed he felt too ill to actually achieve a deep sleep so he lay and drifted in a fever haze, watching the flickering of the flames of the fire illuminate the sides of the tent.
Xxx
Jack spent most of his watch planning the Christmas weekend.
This was the first year since Charlie's death that he'd actually looked forward to celebrating the festive season. Christmases had not had much meaning before and he'd normally make sure he was on the duty roster or had just shut himself away with a bottle of scotch. This year though, he was going to make sure his team enjoyed every Christmassy scenario he could think of.
Stockings would be hung, turkey would be roasted and party games would be played.
No tiny detail would be missed.
Xxx
Dancing angels swirled round the dark caverns of his mind, undulating, alluring and sensuous. Their pulsating beauty stole his breath, their angelic elegance stirred childhood memories of joy and belonging, of innocence and hope.
Memories of his mother, singing Christmas lullabies as she decorated the tree, memories of his father's strong arms as he lifted him to place the Angel on the very top branch and of Christmas eve's spent gathered around the fire side, watching the flames flicker and waiting for the magical night to turn into day.
The Angel watched over his family, her smile sincere, and her wings shimmering in the candle light.
Daniel longed for his Christmas Angel; he longed for his parents and longed for the life he once knew.
Xxx
"It's all quiet on the western front, Carter," Jack smiled and passed Sam a mug of coffee when she wearily sat down on the log next to the fire. "Nothing to report."
"Good," Sam yawned, cupping her hands round the steaming mug.
Jack tipped the dregs of his coffee out of his own mug and then swilled it with some water he had on to boil. "I'll leave you with it then," he stood and stretched out the kinks in his body, his knee popping and protesting at his action.
"Yes, sir," Sam nodded and then took a sip of her drink.
"Just holler if there's a problem."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell Teal'c that I want to break camp at the first sight of dawn," he waved a hand in the air as he walked towards his tent.
"I will," Sam called back and then snuggled deeper in her blanket as she started her watch.
Xxx
Jack dimmed his lamp, placed it next to his pillow, and grabbed his pack. A quick glance at his watch told him it was two in the morning, at least he had time for a good few hours sleep before they made their way back to the gate.
After stripping down to his boxers and t-shirt, he was just about to dim the light completely when he heard Daniel mumble his name.
"Daniel? You awake?" He whispered.
"J'ck?"
"Yeah. Go back to sleep."
"J'ck?"
"Sleep Daniel, we've got an early start in the morning."
"Lights too bright."
"I'm just gonna dim it now."
"So beautiful."
Jack reached to dim the light but paused. "What's beautiful?"
"The light. Too bright but so beautiful."
Daniel's words were slurred and Jack's radar was spiked. He picked up the lamp and made his way to his teammate's side. "You okay?" He asked, shining the lamp towards Daniel's face.
"Beautiful Angel's Jack, can you see the beautiful Angel?"
The lamp light illuminated Daniel's flushed features and Jack instantly reached and placed the back of his hand on the archeologist's forehead, knowing without actually touching him that he was running a fever.
"Dammit, Daniel," he spat when he felt the heat under his fingers. "You're really burning, buddy." He put the lamp down and then turned it up to get a better look at his teammate. "Let's get you unwrapped a bit," he sighed and unzipped Daniel's sleeping bag.
"The Angel's are so beautiful," Daniel continued to mumble as he tossed his head from side to side.
"I know they are, Danny boy," Jack soothed. "I need you to wake up though, buddy," he gently patted Daniel's cheek, "we've gotta do something about this fever of yours."
Daniel seemed to be oblivious to his presence, obviously caught in fever dreams and it took several minutes before Jack could coax him back to reality.
"Jack?" Daniel blinked a couple of times before staring Jack in the eye.
"There you are," Jack grinned.
"Where've I been," Daniel frowned.
"You tell me."
Daniel bought his hand up and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure," he continued to frown before turning his head to one side. "I feel awful," he admitted with a shudder.
"Yeah, well, you're burning up buddy. Think you're awake enough to take some medication?"
"Mmm," Daniel mumbled as he closed his eyes.
"Good. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back," Jack gave him his best 'Arnie' impression and then stood. He was on his way out of the tent when Daniel called his name again.
"Yeah?" He turned and watched as Daniel struggled to prop himself up on his arm.
"Gonna be sick," Daniel managed to groan before starting to heave.
Jack quickly grabbed the nearest container, which happened to be their washbowl and shoved it under Daniel's mouth, just in time.
"Easy, easy," he soothed, rubbing Daniels back as he vomited. "Why didn't you tell us you were feeling this bad?"
Daniel heaved a couple more times and then pushed the bowl away. "Didn't feel this bad before," he groaned as he flopped back onto his bedding. "Thought I just needed a good night sleep. I'm so hot."
"Hold tight, I'll get you that medication."
"Kay." Daniel covered his eyes with his arm and rubbed his stomach as Jack hurried out of the tent.
Then the Angel's were back, dancing behind his eyes as he concentrated on not being sick again.
Xxx
"Is everything alright, Sir?" Sam's head immediately snapped up when she heard the rustle of her teammate's tent.
"Daniel's real sick," Jack sighed as he approached the fire. "Where's the main med kit, Carter?"
Sam quickly stood and crossed to the metal kit trunk. "What are his symptoms?" She asked as she undid the pad lock.
"He's burning up and vomiting," Jack told her as he poured some boiling water into a bowl. "God know what's his temperature is but he's seeing Angels," he shrugged and then topped up the bowl with some cold water, testing it to make sure it was luke warm. "Think I he needs some Tylenol and a bed bath," he sighed, reaching for a cloth that had been drying round the fire.
Sam routed in the trunk and pulled out the med kit. "There's some Compazine in here sir and extra fever reducers if you need them," she told Jack as she handed it over.
"Good," Jack smiled and took the kit.
"Do you need me to check him over, sir?"
"I'll give you a shout if I need you." Jack tucked the kit under his arm and tossed the cloth over his shoulder. "Carry on."
"Yes sir," Sam nodded and took her seat again, watching as he C/O hurried back to his tent.
She hoped that Daniel would feel better in the morning as it was a good three hour walk to the gate, which was taxing in the heat if you felt fit, let alone if you were sick.
As she listened to the Colonel start to sooth the young archaeologist, she knew that it was going to be a long, long day tomorrow.
Xxx
"Dammit, Daniel," Jack tutted when he read the readout on the thermometer strip. "No wonder you're seeing things, buddy, you're burning at a not acceptable 104.2. What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Hot," Daniel mumbled as he moved listlessly on his bedding.
"Yeah, I know you are," Jack sighed as he placed his hands under the stricken man's shoulders. "Let's get this t shirt off you shall we." He gently eased Daniel upright and then tugged at the hem of this t-shirt. "You've gotta give me hand here big boy," he said as Daniel listed to one side.
After struggling with the near unconscious man for a few minutes, he finally removed his t-shirt and then gently laid him back down again. He quickly grabbed his canteen and the blister pact of Tylenol, eased Daniel's head up, coaxed him to take the medication, and then dipped the cloth in the tepid water.
"Let's cool you down now, hey?" He said as he dabbed the cloth on Daniel's forehead and then wiped down his chest and abdomen. "Think you may be frying a few brain cells, buddy."
"The Angel's are dancing." Daniel's eyes were open wide and glistening with fever as he gazed at the ceiling. "So beautiful..."
Jack continued with his ministrations as he soothed the younger man. "Just try and relax, Danny. We'll soon have you feeling better."
"J'ck?" Daniel continued to stare into space.
"Yeah?" Jack ran the cloth over Daniel's chest.
"Is there an Angel on the tree, Jack?"
"Sure is Danny."
"I wanna put it on the top. I want pa to lift me."
Jack frowned as he continued to try to lower his friend's temperature. He wasn't liking how sick and confused he was. He needed a second opinion.
"Carter?" He called as he folded the cloth and laid it on Daniel's forehead.
Sam was quickly at his side. "Yes sir?"
"He's not making much sense," he told her, rocking back on his heels.
Sam knelt at Daniel's side and took his wrist. "His pulse is racing sir," she sighed as she counted the beats under her fingers. "What was his temp?"
"Over 104. He's pretty delirious."
Sam patted down Daniel's body, looking for any obvious injury or cause for such a high fever. "I can't find any bites or wounds," she sighed when she finished her examination. "You say he's been sick?"
"Yeah – violently."
"Did he complain of headache?" Sam removed the cloth and stared into Daniel's eyes.
"He did earlier. He said that the light hurt his eyes."
"Okay." Sam felt Daniel's neck for his lymph nodes. "Well, his nodes are up so he's fighting some sort of infection somewhere," she observed. "Without running blood tests, I can't be sure what's wrong, sir," she then admitted. "I think we may need a medivac."
Jack sighed and picked up the cloth again. "Let's work on his fever first, if he's not showing any signs of improving at daylight, we'll send Teal'c to the gate for help."
"Yes sir," Sam nodded and watched her C/O bathe the restless man for a few second before rushing out of the tent in search of another cloth.
It was going to be a long night.