It was already late at night when General Hammond finally found the time to go to the infirmary.
Once again, the day had gone at a crazy pace.
SG1 was back in – somewhat – one piece, but they really were almost lost for good, this time.
Georges Hammond was starting to think he was too old for this job. Everyday he grew more proud of them, but everyday, he also got more afraid they might not be back safe and sound.
His heart had jumped and failed a tiny second, when Teal'c had appeared through the gate's glittering blue curtain. The Jaffa was carrying Daniel on his back, holding out a hand to catch up O'Neill and Carter who were supporting each other, stumbling and covered with bruises and smoke.
Once more, the general had let go of a "thank God" before he had ordered the iris closing and called on a medical team to the launching room.
Then later, before he could double check himself on the "they gonna be okay" the doctor had told him on the phone, SG6 had arrived, all members literally bleeding to death.
Then some hair pulling negociation over the MALP, a problem at the mess, a phone call from the president, two shut-down at the lab, and…
Well. Life was like that.
Hammond brushed away invisible hair on his skull and headed to the infirmary.
Nurses and doctors were picking up bloody gauze from the floor and cleaning the examination area. It must have been quite a mess here for the past four hours.
- Ahem…
Hammond was always a little shy when coming to Fraiser's territory.
The little woman shushed him with a smile and tiptoed to him gracefully.
- Come, she whispered, putting a light hand on his arm. "You gotta see this…"
He followed her to the admission room.
- Daniel was delirious and Sam was starting to get frantic, and I couldn't do anything 'coz the emergency with SG6 happened at that very moment, and all doctors had too much on their plates.
She giggled and he couldn't understand why, because this was a dreadful report, making his day even more miserable.
- Next thing I knew, Jack had taken the situation in hands and Teal'c was pulling the beds together. When I came back, a few hours later, this is what I found.
She stepped aside, with a grin full of tenderness.
Georges Hammond breathed in then out, feeling the long and difficult day melt into warm peace.
Teal'c was sitting next to O'Neill's bed. The Jaffa's head was patched with some gauze, his head resting on his chest, his hands joined on his lap. He probably wasn't sleeping – since Jaffa don't – but he was definitely having some sort of a nap.
O'Neill was laying on his side, his mouth open and snoring a little. His left arm was wrapped into a blue plaster.
Carter was curled up on the opposite bed, a bandage around her right knee and left elbow, some stitches on her forehead and cheekbone. Her regular breath was giving a lulling rhythm to all respirations.
In between them, Daniel was sound asleep, breathing through the oxygen tube. Burn marks on his chin and hands were gleaming with medical cream, and his injured shoulder was wrapped with a soaked towel.
Jack's right hand was still holding up the cloth and his fingers were still unconsciously doing a soothing tap-tap-tap.
Sam's face was snuggled up against Daniel's pillow and her hand was holding his.
Janet tilted her head, smiling.
- Aren't they just… aww…
Georges Hammond was tempted to do the same, but he was general, so he just stood there with a patriarchal smile.
The light was diming down in the corridors, as the infirmary bubble remained peaceful.