AN - Hey everyone, thanks for reading so far. The exams are over so full steam ahead. Somewhat fortuitously one of the questions was a CW option which was to draft 2 conversations between 2 adults about a child who had a nightmare :) fingers crossed on that one. Anyway. I do apologise for the first part of this chapter, you'll see why but, it will all work out ;) Let me know what you think Kate x
Chapter 8
Sam's knees buckled as she took in the extent of Alice's injuries. The child on the bed barely looked like her daughter, she barely looked human. her skin was blackened and charred in places while the rest was red raw, the under layer of flesh showing through, her features and fingers were melted and fused, her hair burnt away. Sam wasn't sure what she wanted to do, her brain was so conflicted. She wanted to run forward and scoop Alice into her arms, yet at the same time she wanted to turn and run away. Bile was rising in her throat and the thought flashed across her mind that perhaps it would have been better for Alice to be dead then have to live with the horrific life altering injuries she had. Sam finally allowed Teal'c to lift Ellie out of her arms, preventing the four year old from seeing her younger sister in such an appalling state. She was aware of Jack's arm holding her tightly, but like her he seemed unable to move, unable to process what they saw before them.
They gasped in surprise as one of the Asgard seemed to fly across the room. Alice's screams intensified and the other two Asgard stepped back in apparent fear.
"O'Neill, Samantha," Thor greeted them solemnly as he appeared from behind them. "I am sorry to see you again under such circumstances."
"Thor," Jack croaked a greeting, "Al…" his voice faltered and he gestured towards his daughter instead.
"We had hoped to heal Alice of her injuries before we came for you," Thor turned to stare at the broken child on the bed. "Unfortunately she awoke before we could treat her. Her fear and pain is causing her to use her abilities without thought. We have a treatment but we need to apply sedation and the treatment is topical. She is preventing us from doing this." Thor looked sadly up at them. "I apologise that you must see her like this, but be assured our treatment will heal her fully."
"Fully?" Sam mumbled through tears.
"Yes," Thor nodded intensely. "I am afraid we need your assistance in gaining Alice's trust and permission to approach and treat her."
"I got this," Jack took a step forward, putting himself closer to Alice. "Sam go outside, I got this."
"Jack, she… Jack," Sam's face crumpled as Alice gave another scream of agony.
"Sam I got this, you don't need to see any more of this," Jack told her forcefully. "Go outside and look after Ellie. Go," he kissed her forehead, his lips tracing her furrowed brow trying to sooth the worry from her. "Sam." She hesitated her wide eyes fixed on Alice and Jack took a deep breath "Carter get out. That's an order."
Numbly Sam took a step backwards and stumbled out of the room. With a heavy sigh Jack turned to Thor who was watching him from below, the alien's seemingly expressionless face showing deep concern. "What do I need to do?"
"Speak to her, get us to allow us to approach," Thor held his arm out. "While you speak with her I will have a clinician attend to your injuries." The small alien padded to as near to Alice as he dared and pointed towards a small stool. "Please sit O'Neill."
Jack sank into the low seat with a wheeze of pain. He was just within reach of Alice and slowly he reached out his hand moving towards her. "Ali Bongo."
"Daa?" Alice whimpered in fear, moving her ruined arms in his direction which made her cry with further pain.
"I can't pick you up Alice," Jack told her softly, "but I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," he placed his hand beside her head. "My friends here, they want to make you better. As soon as you are better I can pick you up." He looked over at the two hesitant Asgard and nodded his head giving them permission to approach and do their work. "You're my big brave girl Ali Bongo, and Daddy is right here. Daddy's not going anywhere."
"Mommy!" Ellie ran at her mother as Sam stumbled into view. "Mommy, you OK?" She threw her arms tightly around her mother's waist.
Sam's knees trembled to jelly and she sank to the floor her arms enveloping her older daughter as tightly as she could.
"S'Ok Mommy," Ellie kissed Sam's cheek tenderly. "Uncle Teaulk said that the Doctors gonna make Alice all better. He promised."
"Samantha O'Neill," Teal'c moved to kneel beside her. "Do you require anything?"
"I…" Sam stammered before shaking her head. Teal'c inclined his head towards her but remained knelt beside her.
"Teal'c?" Jacob moved to stand on the other side of Sam flanking her with support should she do as she appeared she would and collapse. "I still don't understand, how did this come about?"
Teal'c pursed his lips contemplating how to answer. "I had arrived at the planet; I saw the ship go down. I was certain that everyone in the rear of the ship had perished but the sensors detected a life sign. I was able to find a suitable place to land. Through the fire and debris I could see movement. It was Alice O'Neill. I knew with her injuries that Earth would not be the best place for her. So I came to the race that I knew could perform the seemingly miraculous."
"You saved her," Sam mumbled. "Thank you."
"It is nothing," Teal'c bowed his head. "Her survival is all down to Alice O'Neill's strength. Strength she has gained from you and O'Neill," He studied the awkward position that Ellie and Sam were entwined into. "Perhaps you would be more comfortable on the pallet?"
Sam shook her head, not certain that she could control her body enough to move. Slowly she snaked her arm away from Ellie to rest on Teal'c shoulder, silently thanking him for all that he had done.
"You very brave uncle Teaulk," Ellie lifted her head from Sam's shoulder. "It was really scary."
"You also are very brave Ellie O'Neill," Teal'c gently placed his large palm on Ellie's back. "I have the benefit of age."
Ellie nodded her head, not entirely certain what benefit of age meant. The little girl made to return her head to the comfortable position on Sam's shoulder. Instead she let out a large gasp as she stared into the open doorway and the small figure that stood there. "Mommy what is it?"
Thor padded quickly into the room, "I am Thor," he stopped near to the small group but kept a distance so not to startle the child further. "I am Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet."
"Oh," Ellie mumbled with wide eyes, she turned herself in her mother's arms to properly study the small alien in front of them. "Thor what is you?"
Thor blinked slowly, "I am a member of one of the preeminent races of the galaxy, The Asgard. The Asgard race protects planets such as Earth. By classification of your race I would be considered an alien."
"Oh," Ellie sighed heavily as she tried to understand the big words the small being in front of her was using. "I don't think I ever meeted a alien before. Thor why you not got any clothes on?"
"Ellie," Sam found her voice, the little girl's innocent questions drawing her from her shock and back into a more cohesive mood. "Thor is helping Alice," She blinked in surprise as Ellie jumped up, out of her arms.
"Oh thank you Thor!" Ellie threw her arms around the small alien, their heights nearly comparable. Thor blinked in surprise and froze as Ellie hugged him tight. Ellie released him and kissed him on his grey cheek and stepped back smiling at him. "Thank you Thor for helping my sister."
Thor looked at the floor in a manner that could be construed as embarrassment. "You are most welcome offspring of O'Neill."
"No," Ellie shook her head. "I'm Ellie O'Neill, not offspring." She jumped as Teal'c chuckled. "What I say?" she looked at the tall man.
Teal'c stood up and lifted the child into his arms, thereby protecting Thor from anymore hugs. "Your innocence gives me great delight."
"Is that a good fing?" Ellie asked carefully. Her eyes fixed on Thor as he approached her mother.
"It is," Teal'c bounced her. "Come, we shall look at the stars, I believe Thor wishes to converse with your mother."
Sam watched Teal'c move away with Ellie before turning to face Thor, who in her seated position she was at eyelevel with. "I am sorry about the hug Thor. Ellie doesn't understand."
"There is no need for apology," Thor told her quietly, "it has been a long time since I encountered a child. I confess to forgetting about childhood exuberance." He took a step forward and leaned in closer to whisper conspiratorially. "Though as she is a child of General O'Neill it should come as no surprise," Thor appeared to rock on his heels as if to show amusement. "I came to advise you that my team have applied the treatment to Alice and she is responding. It shall take a few hours before she is fully healed. I therefore wished to offer you sustenance…Tauri sustenance," he added as an afterthought. "I can procure anything you require."
"Thank you Thor," Sam told him sincerely "I can't think about food right now, but I'm sure Ellie will be hungry soon. Perhaps some bread and fruit" she reached her hand out to Thor, allowing the fragile alien to take her hand into his. "Thank you for everything Thor. I can't even articulate how much this means to us."
Thor bowed his head before gently releasing her hand. "You have no need to thank me Samantha, this is the very least I could do for a friend."
