Jack and Collins shared a look before both nodded to their CO and turned to leave. For once, Jack O'Neill was more than anxious to reach the infirmary. He had to find out how Carter and Daniel were. With a look of resolve, he strode from the room, never noticing how the SF's rushed to clear his path, nor how Teal'c followed with equally grim determination.

---------

Chapter 3

It was one of the longest 24 hours of Jack's life. He had come to the infirmary directly after having had those few words with Hammond, only to find that Sam had already been taken into surgery. Her injuries were grave: the staff weapon had hit her side, burning the clothing and skin underneath. Along with the painful injury, the threat of infection was great. Daniel had remained blessedly unconscious. The chunk of rock had raised a huge welt on the back of his head and caused a concussion that he would feel for many days.

Jack, Teal'c, and Collins had met briefly with General Hammond, giving him the low down on what had occurred on the planet. Jack had then made a beeline back to the infirmary, and his current spot at the foot of the beds of his team mates. He dozed off and on throughout that long night, his head lolling then jerking upright as he tried to remain awake. At 0200, Janet wheeled a small cot over and, without a word, had helped Jack settle onto it. The stern expression on her face had softened when the man had sighed wearily as he lay down. She pulled a blanket over him and turned to check on her other patients. Exhausted and no longer able to resist the temptation, Jack closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

A soft groan woke him less than three hours later. Body stiff and sore, Jack never the less sat up quickly and looked at the two beds that contained the two scientists on his team. Sam was still unmoving, her chest rising and falling and the sound of her heartbeat amplified by the machines hooked up to her. Although her face seemed to have a bit more color than it did before, her unnatural stillness was still unnerving.

The moan was a bit louder this time, and Jack turned his attention to Daniel. Judging by the way the younger man's hands were pressed against the sides of his head, Jack had no doubt that he was feeling every ounce of that rock that hit him. As Jack got to his feet and moved to Daniel's side, Teal'c rose gracefully from his seat, appearing none the worse for wear. The two men shared a look of relief that at least one of their own was returning from unconsciousness before they both turned their attention to Daniel.

With his head throbbing with what felt like a marching band doing double time, Daniel slowly opened his eyes and blinked against the dim lights. He sensed rather than saw Jack and Teal'c standing by his side. "What happened?" His voice was gravely and filled with confusion. It wasn't a new experience for the archaeologist to awaken and find himself in the infirmary, but usually he had some memory of what brought him there.

"You have sustained a head injury from our most recent battle, Daniel Jackson. Dr. Frasier assures us you will be well soon," Teal'c supplied. "It is good to see you alert, my friend," he added with feeling.

Daniel blinked and slowly focused his gaze on the large man to his left. "A head injury," he said absently. "No wonder it's pounding like a jackhammer." Daniel struggled to push himself up, wincing at the pain in his head. Jack and Teal'c quickly leant assistance, propping up pillows behind their friend and helping him recline once again.

Still groggy, Daniel blinked several times before looking at Jack. "What happened?" he asked again as he tried to recall his last moments on the planet. He lifted his hand and gingerly touched the bandage around his head. "It feels like I got hit by a boulder," he winced as he touched the back of his head.

"Well, a piece of a boulder, at least," Jack amended. "I always knew that rocks would be your downfall, Danny," he added with just a touch of a smirk.

Daniel shot him a scathing glance. Well, as scathing as he could, taking into account the grimace of pain he was trying to hold back. "Funny, Jack."

The smirk broadened into a smile. "I thought so." Jack was amazed at the lightness he was feeling. Bantering with Daniel was quickly restoring his exhaustion and worry, almost allowing him to believe that things were going to turn out all right. As that thought crossed his mind, Jack's smile fell and he turned to look back at Sam.

Daniel, who hadn't seen Sam lying next to him yet, followed Jack's gaze and he gasped audibly when his mind registered what he saw. Even though his vision was blurry due to a lack of glasses, there was no mistaking the blond head in the bed next to him. "My God! What happened to Sam?" He sat up straight, regretting the movement the instant he did so as a sharp pain stabbed through his head. But he forcibly ignored it as he looked to the two men next to him for answers.

"Carter found herself on the wrong end of a staff weapon," Jack supplied with undisguised anger in his voice. "Got hit in the side, which is a sight better than in the head, like she almost did when you went down." Jack's gaze never wavered from the woman lying so quietly, but he felt an instant regret at his words. He didn't need to make Daniel feel guilty.

Daniel swung his eyes to Teal'c, worry and uncertainty flowing in their blue depths. Teal'c put a hand to his shoulder and gently pushed him back into the pillows, concerned about his friend's pale features. Once he was settled, Teal'c explained in as succinct a way as possible. "Major Carter was injured by a staff blast as she was attempting to enter the wormhole. Her injuries are grave, Daniel Jackson, but Dr. Frasier assures us she will recover in due time." Teal'c voice was quiet and subdued.

Daniel looked from Teal'c back to Jack, who still hadn't turned back. "Jack?" he asked, finally drawing the other man's attention from Sam.

Concern was etched into the lines on the older man's face, but Jack made a concerted effort to appear unaffected. "She'll be fine, Daniel. Carter's strong. She'll get through this." The words were confident, but the tone wavered uncertainly.

The three men were quiet, each lost in his own thoughts, before Daniel spoke again. His mind was still trying to make sense of what Jack had said just moments ago. "So, when I…went down…Sam?"

Jack looked down at Daniel and a look of regret passed over his face. "Forget I said anything, Daniel. Carter just had…a momentary lapse in judgment. That's not when she got hit, anyway."

Daniel nodded, but still felt a twinge of guilt. "SG-7..are they…" He left the question hanging. "Did I get the gate open in time?" his voice fell as he waited for Jack's answer, the feeling of guilt beginning to grow even stronger.

"You did good, Danny. Got the gate opened before you took a header into the ground." Daniel winced at the image that sentence brought forth. "Hawkins took a staff blast to the leg. He'll be fine," Jack added. "Just bumps and bruises for everyone else." He ran a hand tiredly through his hair, making it stand up even more than it had been. "Damned Jaffa," he added under his breath. Then he shot Teal'c a quick glance. "No offense big guy."

Teal'c offered up a slight smile. "I do not take offense at your words, O'Neill. I too curse the Jaffa and Goa'uld who have caused injury to Daniel Jackson and Major Carter."

Suddenly, images began to return to Daniel's mind. "The Goa'uld! Janus!" He sat up again. "Did he show up? Did we get him?"

Jack shook his head. "No. The slimy snakehead didn't show. And I wasn't about to hang around and wait for him." The frown of displeasure on Jack's face turned angry once more as he turned to glance down at Sam.

Daniel felt his interest in the outcome of the battle deflate just as suddenly as it had arisen. Waves of culpability quickly took its place. "I really thought the planet was deserted, Jack. The ruins…"

Jack waved a hand, brushing away the apology. "You couldn't have know, Daniel. It just…happened."

There was another moment of silence between the three men. "When will she wake up?" Daniel asked quietly as he lay back against the pillows. He was starting to feel incredibly tired all of a sudden but didn't want to go back to sleep if Sam might awaken soon.

This time is was Janet who answered his question as she quietly stepped up to Daniel's side. "Not for quite a while, yet. And you need to rest." She held up a hand as he began to protest. "You've suffered a serious concussion, Daniel." Her voice softened, even as she gave him a pointed look. "You won't do Sam any good if she's worried about you when she wakes up. Let her see that you're OK by regaining some color," she added as she began to check his vitals. Jack winced in sympathy when her ever present penlight shone into the younger man's eyes.

Daniel sighed as he acquiesced to her ministrations. He really didn't have the energy to argue with her anyway. "You'll wake me the minute she comes to?" his blue eyes searched her brown ones.

Janet smiled. "Either me, or one of your two bodyguards, here." She indicated Jack and Teal'c with a nod of her head. "Although, if the Colonel doesn't lie back down soon, he's going to find himself strapped to a bed on the other side of the infirmary."

Jack held up his hands in supplication. "Hey, I was sound asleep until Daniel started moaning. Blame it on him."

Janet shook her head at him, then pointed to the cot. "Lie down, Sir."

Giving her a cocky grin, Jack said, "You know, if we had you out on the battlefields Doc, the Goa'uld wouldn't stand a chance."

She smiled. "Maybe I'll have to take that up with the General. Now get some rest. All of you!" Janet included Teal'c in her directive and he bowed in acknowledgment. Once she was finished with Daniel, Janet turned and checked on Sam. When she was finished, she turned to go, casting a quick glance at the three now silent men and the woman they stood vigil for.

And for a moment, Janet felt a touch of envy for the unconscious woman. Her injuries were serious, yes. And it had been touch and go for a while there in surgery. But how many other people could claim the undivided loyalty, caring, and support of three very different men? Not many, Janet thought to herself as she slowly made her way back to her office. Not many at all.


One more to go! Thanks for the continued reviews...I do appreciate them! I have changed the summary to Slight S/J as I have been informed that there is more implied ship in here than I thought or even intended. Perhaps. But not nearly what I usually write:)