A/N: Hi everyone, here's something new! All the credit goes to the fabulous Demetra83, I only lent her my linguistic skills! Updates Fridays and Wednesdays.

Chapter 1 – Accident

Hearing his footsteps pounding the floor, Doctor Brightman faced Teal'c as he markedly entered the infirmary. She suddenly dropped the file she was holding, and all looked at her when it crashed loudly.

"Put her on the nearest bed!" She directed her shout towards Teal'c. The medical team gathered around the bed while the Jaffa stepped back so that they could work. Beeps soon resonated in the sterile air, and the doctor listened to Lt Colonel Samantha Carter's heartbeat via her stethoscope.

"Was she conscious when you found her?"

"No she was not. She moaned as I arrived and attempted to open her eyes but lost consciousness again straight away. She did not speak when I lifted her up."

The doctor requested a nurse to contact the general. He reported to the infirmary, smirking. Unaware of what was going on, he quipped:

"So, who's it gonna be today? With the big boom I heard ten minutes ago, I bet it's Felger, huh Teal'c?"

The latter kept a solemn face, although he did put his hand on his friend's shoulder. General Jack O'Neill lost his smile instantaneously.

"Teal'c... no... please don't tell me she's..." he said desperately.

"She is alive but..." Teal'c started.

"She's unconscious," Brightman explained. "She has a huge bump on the back of her head and I don't want to do an MRI. I will use the portable x-ray machine instead so as to ensure she only endures minimal radiation."

Jack nodded and asked to see his second-in-command. A nurse led him towards a secluded part of the infirmary and pulled the curtain open. There she was, pale as a corpse, her features peaceful despite her apparent fatigue. He wondered whether she slept enough, even though she'd say she did whenever he asked. He was her CO, for crying out loud, he should have paid more attention! He ensured a call got through to his aide, Walter, so that his daily meetings and briefings were cancelled, then asked him to retrieve a telephone number and postal address.

Jack grabbed a chair to settle in, waiting for Sam to wake up. He knew she'd be comforted to know he was here, as was the norm after each sojourn in the infirmary. Teal'c stood behind him, hands folded behind his back as usual.

"Teal'c, do you know what happened?"

"I understand she was working on an explosive device laced with Naquadah. I left to retrieve a few items she required and was on my way back when I heard the explosion. I ran towards her lab to find out what transpired and found her lying on the ground. I cried her name and she moaned; I believe she wanted to open her eyes but her head rolled sideways. I hastened to the best of my ability so that she could be seen by medical personnel in a timely manner."

"Thank you, my friend."

Teal'c knew the General was much more worried than it appeared at first glance. Walter came back and advised Jack the President was waiting for him on line two.

"The information you requested is on your desk, Sir" the man said.

Jack nodded his thanks and left the infirmary. Teal'c would stay by Sam's side and let him know as soon as she woke up. He had a mountain to lead, and even though he was worried about her, he could not abandon his duties.

His conversation with his superior was brief. As a face-to-face meeting with the Joint Chiefs was already planned for the following week, they only had to check everyone's diary to agree on a day and time. Jack did his best to report the meeting by another week, but to no avail.

"General, I know you hate these meetings, but you are being much more reluctant than usual this time. What's the matter?"

"There was an accident in Col Carter's lab today. She's unconscious and the doctors don't know how serious her state is."

"I see. And what does her husband think of all of this?"

"I don't have time for this!..."

"Very well, keep me appraised as to how she fares, but I am counting on seeing you at the meeting next week, General!"

"Yes Sir!"

Jack hung up. He rested his forehead on his folded hands and exhaled deeply. He filed away his completed outstanding files and checked with Walter what teams remained off-world, before ordering all trips through the 'Gate he deemed non-essential be suspended. He joined Teal'c at the infirmary at the end of the day.

"No change?" he asked.

"None, but the doctor completed the x-rays, you should perhaps ask her what she thinks," Teal'c suggested.

Jack knocked at Dr Brightman's office door, and she invited him to sit down at her desk.

"I have the x-ray results, Sir. Col Carter has an important subdural haematoma. I will keep monitoring her status, but if it doesn't improve rapidly, I will have to drain the blood, and in a more extreme instance possibly have a neurosurgeon fly in for an operation."

"I didn't think it would be this serious..."

"I have actually no idea, I'm simply giving you all the available options; but I honestly don't think it'll go this far."

A/N2: Hope you all like it... I know I was hooked from the first words! Please R&R :) See you next week x