Chapter 7
Daniel stared at the photo. He couldn't make out the words on the wall no matter how hard he stared at the picture. He blinked and took his glasses off to rub tiredly at his dry, gritty eyes. He had tried to rest but somehow had ended up back in his office. He placed the photo he held back down on the workbench and picked up the snap of Sam.
He must have seen Sam in that same pose a million times before, he mused. She looked like she always did; confident, tough – ready for everything that the mission could throw at them. And it wasn't an illusion, he knew that. Sam was that kick-ass soldier but she was also a wonderfully brilliant scientist, someone he could talk with as an equal, someone who never made him feel odd about his own intelligence. And she was one of the best people he knew; warm and loving. She was the sister he had never had; a friend in every true way.
'I should have been with her.'
Jack's words haunted him. Jack had a good reason for not being on the mission. He hadn't been part of the frontline team since he'd made General the year before. Daniel knew Jack missed the action but he also knew that Jack had grown into his General title more than probably the other man appreciated or wanted to appreciate. He was good at it but then he'd always been a good leader. Yep, Jack had a good excuse for not being around.
So did Teal'c. The Jaffa's obligations had been about more than just SG1 for a long time. Teal'c was a leader of his people and Daniel figured the Jaffa would grow into the peacetime role eventually despite Teal'c's warrior nature. Teal'c was needed on Dakara as much as Daniel and Sam wanted him to stay with them on SG1. Daniel missed his friend. He and Teal'c had spent a lot of time together in the past year since Jack had been buried under the responsibilities of his new role and any spare time Sam had, she had spent it with her then fiancé. Daniel pulled a face.
It wasn't that he hadn't liked Pete Shanahan; he'd seemed a nice enough guy but he couldn't deny that he was pleased Sam had broken off her engagement. Not that she and a certain General seemed to be any closer to working things out – he guessed years of military ranks and denial made it difficult to move forward, maybe even impossible. Daniel sighed and dragged his thoughts back on topic.
If Jack and Teal'c had good reasons for not being on the mission, the same couldn't be said for himself, Daniel thought guiltily. He should have refused Landry's request to do the briefing on Atlantis; he should have made sure he had been on the mission with Sam. It was SG1's last mission, Landry would have understood surely?
Daniel picked up another photo restlessly and discarded it again. He had been flattered when the new General had asked him to brief the IOA on Atlantis. He couldn't wait to get to his new assignment and the briefing had been an opportunity to feel like he was already there. Atlantis was a new beginning for him. His eyes drifted to the picture of his late wife on the office wall. Abydos had once been a new start for him; a new world, a wife who loved him and who he adored. It was all gone; lost in the war he had helped to start by killing Ra. But the war had ended. He had found some redemption for his part in its beginnings and he was ready to start over. Maybe even ready to love someone again.
As much as he hated to admit it, a part of him was resentful that hadn't been able to get going on his new start immediately; that he'd been unable to go back with the Atlantis team after they had debriefed, that the responsibility for being around to support Sam after her father's death had fallen to him given Jack's and Teal'c's departures.
The picture of Sam drew him again and he picked it up. It wasn't that Daniel hadn't wanted to be there for her – he had – but a tiny part of him had wanted selfishly to believe Sam's own assurances that she was fine with his leaving so he could start his new assignment as soon as possible. Yet while Sam would never have asked him to stay herself, would hate the idea he had stuck around just because of her, she had needed someone. Jacob Carter's death had been a blow; her broken engagement had been another. She hadn't spoken about either much but he'd seen the sadness in her eyes, the grief - something he understood all too well. If he had left he would have felt awful knowing he hadn't been there to support her.
'I should have been with her.'
Jack couldn't have been with Sam on the mission and neither could Teal'c but he…Daniel closed his eyes on another wave of guilt. He really should have been with her.
He snatched up a photo of the temple walls and got to his feet. He hurried out of his office, unable to stand being there alone with his thoughts and guilt. He made his way down to the infirmary. He met Doctor Edwards coming out of the ward.
'Doctor. Is Helen OK?'
Edwards put his pen in the top pocket of his white medical coat and nodded his head at Daniel. 'Headache. She's awake if you want to visit. The rest of SG12 are with her.'
'Thanks.' Daniel gave him a small smile.
'Any news on the gate?' Edwards asked.
Daniel shook his head. 'They're still running tests.'
'Well, the med team will be ready to go whenever we get the all clear.'
Daniel nodded. There was always a med team with every search and rescue.
'I have to admit I'm going to miss this place.' Edwards said with a tired sigh.
'Of course,' Daniel murmured, 'this week's your last isn't it?'
'New head of medicine arrives next week.' Edwards confirmed. 'I'd better get back to my rounds.' He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. 'I'll catch you later.'
Daniel let him go and entered the ward. Calliday was the only official occupant. She had been given a bed towards the end and she was sitting up with a stack of pillows behind her, her wrist in a cast. Someone had dressed her in the standard blue infirmary pyjamas and her red hair stood out starkly in contrast. Her team stood protectively around the bed and Daniel caught the smiles as they exchanged banter as he approached.
Green straightened. 'Doctor Jackson.'
'Major.' Daniel nodded at the rest of SG12 before he looked at the woman in the bed. 'Helen. How are you feeling?'
'Bruises on bruises.' She pulled a face.
'I developed the pictures in your camera. Are you up to some questions?' Daniel asked quietly.
'Hey, can't this wait?' Turner asked crossly. 'She's just woken up.'
'I'm fine.' Calliday patted Turner's hand. 'Why don't you guys go get me something from the mess?'
Grogan smirked as Green pulled him and Turner away, leaving Daniel alone with his fellow archaeologist.
'Any news?' Calliday asked urgently as soon as they were out of earshot.
Daniel shook his head.
'I swear she was just behind me.' Calliday murmured, her head falling back onto the pillows. She plucked nervously at the blanket covering her. 'You had questions?' She prompted gently as Daniel remained quiet.
'Yes.' Daniel passed her the picture. 'I can't make out the words. I was hoping you could describe them to me.'
Calliday sighed. 'They were almost too faded and the Goa'uld dialect was so old. I could barely understand every other word. I think it stated that there was something inside the temple.'
'What?' Daniel asked.
She shook her head slowly. 'I don't know.'
'You think it was the Stargate you found?'
'No.' Calliday frowned, a line appearing between her eyebrows as she considered Daniel's question seriously. 'The words weren't anything like chappa'ai. I think it was just a coincidence.'
'You think you could draw the words?' Daniel asked.
'Do you have any paper?' Calliday asked.
Daniel looked around and ended up grabbing her chart from the bottom of the bed. 'Here.'
Calliday looked at him but carefully sketched out the symbols with her good hand. She winced. 'These are them.'
He took the chart and stared at the symbols. 'Are you sure these are the right symbols?'
'Positive.' She looked at him. 'Why?'
'Well, I'm not entirely certain but I think it says Doomsday machine.' Daniel said seriously. He looked at her. 'Do you think you could have triggered anything when you entered the temple?'
'I don't see how.' Calliday bit her lip.
'Tell me everything.' Daniel encouraged her.
Her fingers traced over the letters in the picture on her lap and Daniel could see they were shaking infinitesimally. 'We got to the planet and made our way to the temple. I focused on the entrance way. There were symbols and writing.' She rubbed her nose and looked up from the photo. 'I managed to work out the temple belonged to Ra but hadn't been taken over by another Goa'uld.'
'Unusual.' Daniel commented, folding his arms over his chest.
'Maybe the planet has always been unstable.' Calliday commented. 'It would account for the lack of habitation since and why the temple was abandoned with so many artefacts inside.' Her fingers tapped the photo.
Daniel nodded slowly. 'You know I seem to remember…something…some story about Ra and a Doomsday machine.'
'You know I think it rings a bell with me too? I just can't remember why.' Calliday sighed.
'I don't remember it in detail.' Daniel admitted. 'Maybe I heard it on Abydos.' He shook his head and refocused on her. 'Do you remember anything else?'
'We didn't get to see all that much more.' Calliday admitted regretfully. 'Just the room with the Stargate.'
'OK.' Daniel reached for the photo. 'Well, thanks.' He looked at her surprised when she kept hold of the picture.
'I understand that I also owe you a thank you.' Calliday grinned at him. 'Something about protecting me when I landed on the ramp?'
'Ah.' Daniel smiled nervously and nudged his glasses up his nose. 'That.'
'That.' Calliday let go of the picture. Her eyes held his. 'Thank you.'
Daniel shrugged.
'Maybe I can take you out for a drink to say thank you properly?' Calliday suggested.
Daniel's eyes widened. 'Oh. Well. There's, uh, well, no need. I mean, I'm going to Atlantis soon so…'
Calliday rolled her eyes. 'It's only a drink, Daniel.' She pointed out.
'I know.' Daniel said defensively, wondering why he was so nervous. He'd been asked out for a drink before by an attractive woman. 'I, uh…raincheck?'
'Raincheck.' Calliday agreed. Disappointment gleamed in her eyes for a brief moment before she shifted under the covers and changed the subject. 'You know the temple is the only shelter anywhere close to the Stargate so Colonel Carter's probably there.'
Daniel nodded. 'Jack figured the temple was probably the most likely place she would go.' If she wasn't too injured…he stopped the thought abruptly.
'It wasn't your fault, Daniel.' Calliday said softly.
'I should have been there.' Daniel dropped his gaze.
'I should have waited for her.' Calliday said.
Daniel's eyes shot up. Her head was bowed; her eyes fixed to her blanket. 'Hey.' Daniel reached out and took her uninjured hand in his. 'This wasn't your fault either.'
Calliday nodded jerkily.
A sharp rap on the door-frame had both of them turning around in surprise.
Jack stood there unapologetically. He nodded at Calliday before pinning Daniel with an urgent look. 'The gate's working. Let's gear up.' He left before either of them could reply.
Calliday squeezed Daniel's hand. 'Go.'
Daniel let go of her and hurried after Jack. It was time for SG1 to rescue their missing team-mate.
