Day had turned to night when the rest of the inhabitants of the Quinn household joined Janet. They were all watching Daniel as he continued his restless sleep. She couldn't blame his team for wanting to be nearby, but there really wasn't anything anyone could do other than watch and wait.

Mari was providing everyone with refreshments and Greta was hanging off Janet's actions, questioning her every move and each addition to Daniel's chart. Janet had hoped he could provide her with some sort of monitoring device, but found that her basic doctoring, under these circumstances, was more advanced than his primitive practices. She had resorted to explaining things as she went along. She'd encouraged Ben to tutor Lilly, and they both had their noses stuck in Mandanan medicine books.

There was little she could do to keep the boredom levels up for the rest of Daniel's team, though, and she was very aware of Jack's growing impatience as he paced the room. Lack of action did not sit well with the colonel. Sam, on the other hand, seemed content to help Mari, so she was one less worry for Janet. Teal'c had been dispatched back to Sergi's house to inform them of what had transpired, and to let them know that Lilly had chosen to stay on and help until Daniel was well enough to travel again.

Janet was in the process of disconnecting Daniel's oxygen under Greta's watchful eye, when Daniel whimpered. It was now four hours since the operation and he had only surfaced once. Janet was beginning to get slightly concerned about his continued unconsciousness, so the sound was music to her ears. She wiped his forehead tenderly as the whimper turned into a moan.

"Shh... it's okay," she soothed.

"Is he waking?" Greta hovered over her shoulders to get a better view and Jack practically sprinted to the bedside.

"Daniel?"

Daniel tossed his head from side to side and continued to groan. "Hurts."

"1-10?" Janet used the familiar pain-scale phrase as Daniel's movements became more frantic.

"What is this? What is 1-10?" Greta questioned excitably.

"Doc just asked him how much pain he's feeling, marked on a scale from one to ten," Jack explained, almost curtly. The worry over Daniel had made him short tempered and the platon's constant questioning was getting on his nerves.

"N-n-nine," Daniel managed to stutter, and Janet held her hand out, knowing very well that Ben would have a syringe of Morphine at the ready.

"I'm just giving you some painkillers," she stated as she emptied the contents of the syringe into Daniel's IV. "Just try and relax."

"What was that? What was that?"

Janet took a deep breath. It was now becoming increasingly harder to concentrate on the welfare of her extremely sick patient because of the constant interruptions and comments. She needed peace and quiet as much as Daniel did. She didn't want to be rude but everyone was going to have to leave.

"Okay, guys, here's the thing," she said after she was happy Daniel's pain was under control once more. "I think it's time you all went and got some rest." She smiled gently. "Daniel will sleep now and I need time to think, no offence." She placed a hand on Greta's arm hoping he would understand.

Lilly stood and answered for him. "Of course. Come Quinny; let's leave Doctor Janet to what she does best."

"But..."

"I will make notes, I promise," Janet placated. Greta nodded in agreement but still managed to look disappointed.

"If you need anything..."

"I'll call," Janet answered with a kindly smile. "Thank you for all you did," she added, and patted him on the shoulder when he turned to leave the room on Lilly's arm.

"I did nothing." He shrugged despondently.

"We'll talk more, later." Janet could see how tired the elderly man was and any argument on her behalf would be futile at this stage. "Get some sleep," she suggested as Lilly led her tutor out of the room. Janet then turned to the rest of SG-1.

"There's no point all of us staying up all night." She started to prepare herself for Daniel's next set of observations. "I think we need to tag team—one medic on, one medic off, with one of you for company—if that's okay?"

"Whatever you think is best," Sam agreed and approached the bed.

"Sound's like a plan," Jack agreed as they all watched Daniel sleep. "You take first shift with the Doc, Carter," he suggested, "and me and Ben can have a lad's night out."

Janet looked up from taking Daniel's blood pressure and grinned. "Lay off the wild women and booze, boys," she teased. "Daniel's gonna need your full attention."

"Spoil sport." Jack joked back, before giving Daniel's hand a quick squeeze. "Look after him ladies. Wake us at two."

"Yes, sir," Sam nodded, and Jack and Ben left the sick man in more than capable hands.

Janet smiled and turned to her friend. "Right. Let me fill you in on a few things," she said as she reached for Daniel's chart again.

It was going to be along night.

xxxx

Sam yawned and stretched.

Bedside vigils were always tiring but this one more so than others. When one or the other of the team was holed up in the infirmary on base, the teammate providing the vigil could always occupy themselves pretty well. Reports would be written, books would be read, and there was always several members nursing staff or other patients to have a chat with.

If one or the other of the team were ill or injured off world, it would normally be under threat of attack or during hostage situations. They would usually be alone in the caring of their teammate while dealing with the situation at hand, and a steady flow of adrenaline would keep the mind and body alert. Here, though, Daniel was being well cared for and there was no threat from anywhere; no urgent dash back to the 'gate or desperate need to contact SGC.

Sam kept finding herself drifting off as Janet flicked through Daniel's notes.

She stood and stretched the kinks out of her tired body, crossed to Daniel's bedside, and watched her friend sleep restlessly. His head lolled weakly from side to side and he was quietly groaning. Reaching over, she gently brushed his hair from out of his eyes.

"Is he in pain?" she asked when Daniel's movement increased and his legs joined in the action.

Janet placed the chart down and joined her friend. "I don't think so," she stated, picking up Daniel's wrist and taking measurement of his pulse again. She glanced over at Sam, who continued to sooth her teammate. "I think the restlessness is more due to his high temperature." She smiled sadly. "If he was in pain he'd be more lucid and complaining," she added, and after noting the fast, thready beats, which indicated Daniel's fight with a high fever, she tucked his hand back under the covers. She turned and grabbed the thermometer and placed it in his ear, knowing very well that she'd only just taken a readout, but a second look wouldn't hurt considering Daniel's increasing restlessness. She sighed when the readout then confirmed that his temperature had crept up a notch or two.

"Is it up?" Sam asked when Janet then placed the thermometer back on the table and dipped a cloth in the bowl of water next to the medication tray.

"Yeah." Janet mopped Daniel's brow tenderly.

Sam perched on the edge of the bed and picked up Daniel's hand, gently stroking his fingers. "How do you do it?" she asked as she watched Janet administer her patient.

"Do what?"

"Oh, I don't know. Just do what you do… be so patient," Sam shrugged.

"It's in my job description." Janet turned her head and smiled.

"Don't you get bored?"

"Of what?"

Sam shifted slightly and gave Janet access to Daniel's wound. "You know—sitting round and waiting."

Janet gently peeled back the gauze dressing slightly and was happy to note that the wound site looked clean and healthy. "I don't usually sit round and wait." She smiled again and covered the wound back up, and then placed her hands on Daniel's swollen abdomen. "That's why I'm a doctor," she said as gently palpated and watched her patient for any reaction.

"Oh?"

Daniel's groaning increased, so Janet ceased the action and, when he began to shiver slightly, she added a warm blanket, which she tucked round his shoulders. She then took a seat next to Sam and reached for the chart again.

"Well," she began, as she updated her notes. "I fix people up, make sure they're comfortable, and then usually hand them over to the nurses. That would be the extent of my involvement unless I was needed on a consult, to alter medication, or scrub up for surgery." She closed the file and placed it back on the bed. "If Daniel were in the infirmary now," she continued, "I'd pop in and out every now and then, but his primary care would be provided by my team of nurses."

"Oh, I see," Sam nodded.

"So, in answer to your question, yup, I'm as bored as you are." Janet chuckled and patted Sam on her knee.

They both sat in silence for a while, Sam drumming her fingers on Daniel's lax hand and Janet counting the drips fluid that dropped into his IV.

Daniel had begun to settle, his shivering had stopped, and his groaning was petering out. Boredom ensued once more.

Eventually, after over five minutes of mindless watching and observing, Sam cleared her throat and broke the peace.

"So! How's things on back on Earth? What's the gossip?"

Xxx

Nausea churned Daniel's stomach, as he lay enveloped by heat and illness. His mind felt muddled as he tried to remember where he was and what had happened. It was obvious to him that he was sick, but the sheets under him didn't feel like infirmary ones and the lack of steady beeping monitors added to the realisation.

The thumping headache and aching joints pointed to a fever. He had a nagging pain in his stomach and a god-awful taste in his mouth, so his symptoms were adding up nicely to the fact that he was not very well. The feeling of being tucked up snugly in a comfortable bed led him to believe he was being well cared for. The familiar tug of an IV gave him a clue that it was someone medical was tending to him, but the lack of the normal hustle and bustle of a hospital was puzzling, considering he felt sick enough to be a patient in one.

He was aware, though, of people giggling and chatting and longed to open his eyes to see who his Florence Nightingale's were, but his eyes felt glued together. Actually, the thought of opening his eyes didn't appeal to him in the least, as he kinda felt dizzy even with them closed, and figured that any eye opening would result in serious vomiting. The way his stomach hurt at the moment he didn't relish that thought at all. Lying still was good. Very good. He could do that.

Maybe groaning would get him some attention. Groaning was good… groaning was very good. In fact, groaning was necessary as it meant control of his pain and control of his stomach. Problem was, the groaning he found himself doing at the moment was making little dent in either, and the suffocating heat and constant dreadful queasiness was increasing his need to crawl his way back up full consciousness to seek out help. So, with what seemed like a super human effort, he managed to open his eyes and clear his throat.

"S-sick," he moaned, and immediately felt very familiar hands quickly turn him on to his side. He was urged to 'hold on' but knew very well that the holding on was going to be impossible when his stomach churned again. He sobbed as he emptied the contents of his stomach all over his bed.

The same gentle hands turned him onto his back when his bout of nausea lessoned, and he stared drowsily up at the face of someone he recognized immediately.

"Janet?"

"Hey, Daniel,"

The cool cloth that was dabbing his burning forehead felt wonderful and he sighed in relief.

"How are you feeling?"

Daniel wanted nothing more than to laugh at the absurdity question, but feeling this ill was no laughing matter.

"Awful," he admitted shakily.

"We're just going to sort you out and I'll give you something to make you feel more comfortable," his angel promised.

"'kay." Daniel closed his eyes and surrendered his sick body to the one person he trusted most in the world. He just hoped she'd hurry and sort him out, as the vomit that covered his bedding was turning his stomach once more.

Xxx

Janet glanced up at Sam as she dabbed the sweat off Daniel's forehead. "Could you go and see if there is any clean bedding anywhere?" she asked.

"Sure." Sam nodded and sprinted out of the room.

Janet returned her attention to her patient. "Hang in there. We're gonna clean you up in a minute and then I'll give you something for the nausea," she promised.

"'kay," Daniel mumbled and closed his eyes again, as he was feeling extremely weak and dizzy.

Janet pulled the soiled sheets and blankets off the bed and tossed them into the corner of the room. "I'm just going to give your fever a hand." She reached for her cloth and proceeded to wipe down his chest. "We'll soon have you squeaky clean and tucked up nicely again."

When Daniel only nodded slightly in response, it spoke volumes about how unwell he was feeling.

"It's past midnight now." Janet kept chattering as she continued Daniel's bath. "Colonel O'Neill is catching up on some sleep and Teal'c has returned to Lilly's house."

Daniel turned his head slightly and frowned. "Lilly?" He knew the name but didn't really know why.

"Yes. She helped Greta with your operation."

"D-don't remember." Daniel shook his head slowly from side to side; nothing was making any real sense.

"You've had your appendix out, remember?"

"I d-did?"

"Yes, you did. You do know you're not on Earth, don't you?"

"Manad... you said... before." Daniel sighed as his fog began to lift slightly. "H-house v-visit."

Janet chuckled softly. "That's right. I popped through the 'gate and rode to your side on a white charger," she teased, keeping the atmosphere as light as she could.

"T-thanks. T-tired." Daniel sighed, wanting no more but to sleep and wake up feeling better.

"You can go back to sleep soon," Janet promised, and then smiled at Sam when she returned with a pile of bedding. "We'll just change your bed and you can carry on dozing." She placed her cloth back into the bowl, turned, and accepted a sheet from her friend. They then laid it over Daniel and began to tuck it in at the sides.

"How's he doing?" Sam asked as she reached for a large warm blanket.

"He's a bit confused and sleepy," Janet replied, grabbing the other end of the blanket and folding it neatly across Daniel's chest. "It's to be expected," she added with a sad smile.

"Yeah," Sam agreed and gently rubbed Daniel's arm when he whimpered slightly. "It's okay, Daniel," she soothed, and then grabbed his hand when he weakly waved it in her direction. "You're going to be just fine. We get to spend another couple of days with Quinny and his family, and Mari is cooking pots and pots of broth just for you."

Daniel blinked lethargically, he really wanted to smile and let Sam know that he was okay but just didn't have the strength, and so was content to lie back and let his friends do the talking and care for him.

"I've never seen a women cook so much soup in my life!" Sam continued the small talk as Janet injected some Morphine and anti nausea medication into Daniel's IV. Soon the sick man's eyes fluttered closed and stayed that way, but Sam kept a tight hold on her friend's hand. She was content to remain at his side and offer him any comfort she could.

Xxx

"You still bored?" Janet unfolded another clean sheet and tossed one end over to Sam who smiled sadly as she grabbed the edge.

"Nope. Not bored." She shrugged as she soothed out the edges.

Daniel had slept for a while but had woken feeling very nauseous again. Their attempt to ensure his vomit was contained in a hurriedly placed bowl had failed dramatically, and they were in the process of cleaning him up once more. Janet had reviewed his medication and reduced his dosage of Morphine, as she knew that his nausea was a side effect of the painkiller. She'd also hung another bag of fluids and inserted a Compazine suppository, hoping this route would be kinder on his stomach.

Daniel lay listlessly on the bed as they worked round him. He was semi-conscious and limp, and had surrendered himself completely to their ministrations.

Sam yawned as they added another blanket to Daniel's pile of bedding. "What time is it?" she asked, as she watched Janet place a damp folded cloth on Daniel's forehead.

"Nearly two," Janet replied with a smile.

"I'll go wake the boys, shall I?" Sam yawned again, she was nearly out on her feet and could only guess how exhausted Janet must feel, considering the double shift she'd pulled off to come to Daniel's rescue.

"Good idea." Janet couldn't help yawning in response.

Sam giggled. "I think we're a bit punch drunk."

"I think you're right," Janet giggled as well. "Go get the boys." She nodded and then picked up her chart and continued noting Daniel's latest observations, as Sam staggered out of the room. She was just filling in his latest drug regime when Jack and Ben arrived for their shift.

"Ah! Sleeping like a baby." Jack smiled when he approached the bed and Sam and Janet both rolled their eyes and snorted.

"He's not been like that all the time, sir," Sam stated as she picked up all the soiled sheets and held them up as evidence.

Jack nodded. "So I see."

Janet then cleared her throat. She wanted to get the hand-over done as quickly as she could, as the urge for sleep was becoming overwhelming. "Right, Ben, just to fill you in…" She pulled her colleague to one side and went through Daniel's chart.