Chapter 7
Despite Jack's fidgeting and generally distracting presence, Daniel and Teal'c were making progress on the device and on his memory of Machello. Teal'c recounted the two previous encounters SG-1 had with Machello or his devices. Then Daniel read through some of his journals from those two periods. He was finding it difficult, but things were coming to him.
Unlike the first computer they'd retrieved, this computer was not encoded in the same language. This one had several dialects of Goa'uld encoded on it and from what Daniel could decipher, the messages were all the same. "What you seek, you will not find. What you fear, you will not see. What I seek has now been done. Vengeance is in the very air you breathe."
"So, it appears this was engineered by Machello?" Janet asked, looking at the three of them.
"Yes," Daniel said.
"But the last time we encountered one of Machello's inventions, he used that same protein marker to deactivate the little slimers," she reminded them. "Why would he use the same protein marker as a target for this?"
"Perhaps he didn't," Daniel said. "Perhaps this was an earlier invention, perhaps it was a later one. I don't know. Did you run our blood samples through the same scan?"
"Yes, after we discovered the virus in Sam's," Janet responded. "There were trace particles in each of your samples, but if I'd waited any longer, I suspect we wouldn't have detected them at all. As they had nothing to attach themselves to, they apparently never activated and did not even trigger a histamine response."
"Yes, well…" Daniel put in, "perhaps the two unattached particles are not what triggered the histamine response in Sam either. Perhaps he did use the protein marker to deactivate this virus as well. I mean, the most she suffered was a moderate fever and some fatigue – aside from the allergic response."
"She suffered a lot more than that…" Jack said.
"Well, to someone in any other situation than Sam's, what she "suffered"…" Daniel replied, using his fingers to make quotation marks, "…would have just been a real nice drunk. From what you've told me about Machello and from what I've started to remember, he would have considered that an…acceptable inconvenience. His goal would still have been met. He would have killed the Goa'uld in any being. At least that's my best guess. I have no idea what would have happened to the host or Jaffa carrying the Goa'uld."
"Interesting theory," said Janet, nodding. "I'll run some more tests and see if I can verify it further. In the meantime," she paused and looked directly at Jack, "Sam's latest test reveals that the two unattached viral particles have been absorbed and the third is being reduced by the medication. She has been awake for about an hour and she appears to have forgotten just about everything. She remembers having the allergies and taking the Benedryl. After that, she says it's all a blur."
"Good," Jack said, feeling a wave of relief and a hint of regret. Part of him wanted her to remember, but he knew it was best if they could just put the whole incident behind them. That way, he was really the only one who knew exactly what happened.
"Can we see her?" Daniel asked.
"Yes. In fact, I'm sure she would love to have some visitors," Janet said. "If the next blood test turns out the way I think it will, I'll be releasing her back to active duty."
"That is welcome news," Teal'c said as they turned to leave.
"Keep the visit short, though, will you?" Janet cautioned. "Let's let her get completely virus free before we let her get back to her workaholic tendencies."
"You got it, Doc," Jack said with a smile.
Sam was sitting on the bed, reading a book when they arrived. Daniel knocked on the door and poked his head in first. She smiled when she saw his face. He opened the door and the others file in after him.
"Hey, Sam," Daniel said returning her smile.
"Hi guys," she said. "Have you come to spring me?"
"Not just yet," Jack said, coming out from behind Teal'c.
Sam blushed slightly when she saw him, but quickly moved on with her conversation. "So Janet tells me this could have been cause by something Machello invented?"
"It would appear so, Major Carter," Teal'c said.
"Guess it's a good thing you don't have "Junior" any more," Sam said.
"Indeed," Teal'c replied.
"So, you don't remember anything?" Jack asked, unable to keep his curiosity at bay.
"Well, Sir, it all seems like a dream. I really can't distinguish between when I was awake and when I was asleep. I remember taking the Benedryl. I remember feeling warm. From there it all seems unreal."
Jack raised his brows and nodded his head slightly.
"If I did anything I shouldn't have, I'd like to apologize…"
"There's no need to apologize, Major," Jack said, cutting her off. "We're just glad to see you up and around and feeling like your old self."
"Well, I'll be feeling like my old self when I can get out of here and get back to work," she said.
"Don't rush it, Sam," Daniel said.
"Okay, Doctor Jackson," Sam said smiling. "Geez, I get enough of that from Janet."
"Is there anything you require, Major Carter?" Teal'c asked.
"Just to be cleared for duty," Sam said. "But I appreciate the offer, Teal'c."
"Well, we should probably let you get back to your book," Daniel said, turning his head slightly and squinting to read the cover. "K-PAX…is it good?"
"Yeah," she said, setting it down and sliding off the bed as the trio started toward the door.
"Well, thanks for stopping by," she said, following them.
"See you tomorrow," Daniel said and walked out the door. Teal'c bowed slightly and then followed Daniel.
"See you guys," Sam said, giving them a little wave.
Jack hung behind for just a few seconds. "So," he said, in a low voice. "Did you have pleasant dreams?"
Sam blushed again and looked away for a second, fighting an embarrassed smile. When she brought her eyes back to meet his, she'd regained her composure. "Actually…yes, Sir."
"Good," he said and then turned to walk out the door.
"But," she added as he headed out the door, "the dreams don't hold a candle to the real thing."
That comment stopped him head in his tracks just a few steps into the corridor. He turned back to face her. The look on her face said it all. Like she had on so many previous occasions, she was letting him know, with just a look. She was letting him know that she remembered.
"You're right," he said, "they don't."
"Thank you," she said, sincerely.
"Any time, Carter," he replied.
