Daniel had awoken again, he was warm this time though and once again the setting had changed. Samantha Carter was at his bedside with a smile "Daniel" she said softly "I knew you would pull through Daniel. Major Lorne is going to be fine, we have R&D working on a way to take the bracelets off of you two. We were able to break them a part but if the two of you aren't near one another, both of your vitals drop." Sam took Daniel's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze "President Weir was here earlier, she needs you to get better Daniel. She has you in mind for something important, some sort of mission in the Pegasus galaxy." Sam studied Daniel's eyes, there was a lot in his look that expressed how much had just been through to which Sam responded by talking to him more "When you missed two checks, we decided to dial the gate. The Aschen must have something like our Iris, the MALP didn't make it. We were lucky enough to have had the Daedalus near Earth at the time. Needless to say, we came after you but only found your and Lorne's life signs."

Daniel was at peace knowing Lorne was recovering as well. It was also reassuring that Sam was there at Daniel's bedside. The two of them had become good friends over the years and had almost a sibling bond that could not be easily broken. "Sam" he called her name and smiled "Thank you for being here." Sam smiled back in return, there was no other place she wanted to be now than at her friend's side. She knew however that soon Jack would be wanting her in his office, this wasn't a good year for her command of SG-1, already she had lost Teal'c and Sergeant Greer, and on numerous occasions her teams lives were in danger, she herself almost had died and they just had to rescue Daniel and Major Lorne. Daniel saw the self doubt in Sam's eyes, he forced himself to a sitting position and looked at her "Sam, don't blame yourself. We had no idea what we were getting into, you weren't there to make the calls. You can't seriously place blame on yourself for Teal'c either."

Sam sighed "I know Daniel, believe me I know. None of this was in my control and things happen, we go through that gate never knowing what to expect. I know General O'Neill will be in my corner as support but the IOA will be on my case and more than likely his as well. They will want to remove me form my command position of SG-1." Sam crossed her arms and leaned against a wall "I should have taken the position at Atlantis when Weir stepped down to enter the political field." Sam shook her head "No. I was right in passing on that assignment, they gave it to Sheppard which allowed Mitchell to take Sheppard's previous position. That has worked out for the best."

Sam had then remembered that she hadn't informed Daniel on the good news, that of Doctor Fraiser's return. She smiled at Daniel "Janet's back. SG-14, General O'Neill and I helped her evacuate the Ma'Baru survivors. She has developed a cure and vaccine to the disease that was ravishing their civilization. She's back home visiting with Cassandra but she gave you her best wishes before she left." Sam could see the happiness that brought to Daniel, knowing that Janet was safe and sound.

Walter entered the room and looked at Daniel "Glad to see you are feeling better Doctor Jackson." Walter then shifted his gaze upon Sam "Colonel Carter" Walter said too grab her attention "Ma'am, General O'Neill wishes to see you in his office when you are done here." Walter then turned and exited the room, heading to wherever he was needed.

Sam gulped, it was as if she was trying to swallow a pebble. "Well, I knew that was coming." She took Daniel's hand once more and gave it a kind squeeze "I am going to go head into the lion's den. I will be by later Daniel" she said as she let go of his hand and exited the room.

She headed to Jack's office where she did in fact find Jack standing rather than sitting. He was tense and clearly on edge his eyes met Sam's "IOA is sending one of their goons to reap havoc down upon us. My guess is that they will send that squirmy son of a bitch Woolsey. I just wanted to give you a heads up Sam. I will do my best to defend your command decisions but I can't promise that I can protect you if those shifty bastards want your head."

Sam smiled at Jack "Sir" she said calmly "You can't protect me from everything. SG-1 is my team now, what happens to them is weight on my shoulders. Whether or not I was with my team and whether or not I gave the orders, it is my burden. "They can send Woolsey if they want, I know what course of actions I took in the past and the courses of action that Lorne and the others took without me, I agree with nearly ever choice made."

While Sam and Jack were discussing a plan to counter the impending and no doubt relentless prosecution of Colonel Carter and General O'Neill, Doctor Daniel Jackson wanted to learn more about this trip to the Pegasus galaxy which he was being sought out for. Clearly, there was something of some importance in the Pegasus that required Doctor Jackson's expertise. Daniel knew that he would only be sought out like this if the matter in hand dealt with either the Goa'uld or the Alterans. He began to take off all the wires and sensors that were monitoring his health, he removed an IV and was about to slide off the bed when a doctor entered the room. "Hey!" the woman shouted "I know you want out of here but you just aren't ready. Could you wait another day?"

Daniel looked at the doctor "Sorry doctor." Daniel shook his head"No, I can't wait. Look, I feel just fine. I am needed for a mission that I don't even know what it entails. I will make you a promise, if I feel light headed or anything, I will come right back here, just clear me." Daniel gave the young doctor a look that was like that a dog would give their owner "Please" he said softly. She nodded and and wrote and signed his discharge papers. It was no sooner that she agreed, that Daniel was out the door and in her quarters getting dressed in a black tee shirt and tan cargo pants.

After getting dress in more relaxed and casual attire, Daniel went to visit Major Lorne who was exactly like Daniel in the sense that Lorne made a fuss until he was discharged from the infirmary. Daniel noticed that the door to Lorne's quarters was open. Daniel knocked on the door frame and entered, closing the door behind him. Lorne was laying on a sofa, Daniel pulled up a chair across from the sofa "How are you doing?"

Lorne yawned and stretched on the sofa "Oh, I am dandy. I just needed out of that bed. I came back here to paint but I just haven't been in the mood to yet. I understand we are stuck together until someone can figure out how to take these off" he said raising his hand that had the alien bracelet on it. Lorne smiled "I am sure it won't be much longer until they find a way to take them off. In the meantime, I hear we are going to Pegasus. Any idea what for?"

Daniel shook his head "Uh no. Actually, I was sort of hoping that someone mentioned something to you." Daniel looked at the bracelet on his hand "Yeah, I am sure we won't be stuck with these for much longer." Daniel then smiled and looked at Lorne "So, we are heading to the Pegasus, maybe stopping at Atlantis. You never did say who he was." Daniel then squinted his eyes "Scientist?"

Lorne let out a small chuckle "No, military and I am not saying anything further Doctor Jackson." Lorne pulled himself up into a sitting position "Thanks Jackson." Major Lorne had been through a lot but it was helpful that he didn't endure it alone.

Daniel stood up from the chair. He looked at Lorne and smiled "Major, my friends call me Daniel. I think huddling together unclothed in order to survive alien torture methods brings people together in a way that is nothing less than friends. I will be around, as you know" Daniel said pointing to the bracelet.