Jack O'Neill strolled through the base on his way to his final destination. Janet Frasier kept her promise to him and let him out of the hospital after sleeping for two hours. Admittedly, he was still exhausted, but felt better, then he did at midday. It even surprised the man that the anxious doctor actually let him go after what had happened. However, Janet had made a list of conditions, and only after agreeing to them, was he allowed to leave the infirmary.
Lost in thought, he now stood in the briefing room and gazed wistfully through the glass window on the stone ring. There it stood, powerful and still impressive for him- The Stargate. It would still be there when he was long gone. Memories came to mind of his first trip through the gate. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Colonel?"
"General, I wanted ... ..I am sorry," he whispered.
He wanted to say so much, apologize for his behavior, but he just did not know how to do it. General Hammond just nodded, standing right next to his 2IC, shoulder-to-shoulder as they stood in front of the window, glancing together into the gateroom. It was a complete silence between them and in the room until Jack suddenly spoke
"Farewells are not my thing, sir!"
The older man paused briefly, then began to speak.
"Jack, do you really just want them to disappear? Without a word? Do you not think your team deserves to know what's going on?"
He ran his hand through his hair, which was already disheveled.
"No! I can't, it's better, for all!" He said firmly.
General Hammond knew the man well enough to know that nothing he would say could change Jack O'Neill's opinion in any way. Even knowing how stubborn he was, General Hammond made sure Jack knew that no matter what happened, he could always count on his help. Jack was more than a little moved by the words of his commanding officer. The General was not a man of heroics either, but he always hit the mark with what he said.
"In view of today's events, I must let you know that Dr. Frazier and I are forced to change your plans, Colonel. Both Daniel Jackson and Teal'c have noticed that your health is not as good now as it once was. That is why I will tell your team. Doctor Frasier has put
you leave for health reasons and prescribed rest and relaxation. This sounds plausible and should suffice for the time being. Everything else will come to past as the time comes closer."
The Air Force officer did not let his gaze drop off the gateroom, just nodded and thanked the General calmly. Time was exactly what he did not have. Dr. Frasier had described her conjectures in details to the General during the time that Colonel O'Neill had slept. The man was just as shocked as the doctor herself. They both agreed immediately not to inform the Colonel of it, so far it was only conjectures. But the general wondered secretly why the otherwise so critical man had not asked himself why the tumor had not been discovered.
Considering Jack O'Neill's situation, however, George Hammond assumed that the man had quite different worries and thoughts.
After a while, Jack went back to his office, wanted to get some personal things before he finally left the base. Very important to the man was the list, which still lay in the drawer of his desk. After he had fished the list out of the drawer, he marked off the third point and put the note in his right pocket with the pills. Janet had made it clear to the officer that the bottle with the tablets was to be treated like a permanent campaign, and he was to never leave home or anywhere else without them.
A loud knock on the door suddenly caused him to wince. The frightened man bent down under his desk, did not want to see anyone. He just wanted to pack his things and disappear forever.
"Colonel, are you here?" Janet cried, as she eyed the door.
After the Colonel had registered that it was only Doctor Frasier, he looked embarrassed behind his desk.
"I'm here Janet" he said abashed.
"Are you okay, sir?"
Worried, she ran to him as she saw him squatting on the ground. Jack O'Neill held up a hand at once.
"I am fine! I just wanted ... " he stammered.
Janet saw how embarrassed the situation was to him and knew exactly what was going on.
"You wanted to hide, sir, is that it?" She asked cautiously.
"No, ….yes ... I just want to get away from here, Janet! Please! I want to go home – to someplace safe. Away from eyes and where I don't have to hide." he said as the doctor helped him up.
Looking at him, Janet could see how serious he was, how bad he wanted to leave, suddenly becoming chalk-white, and beginning to tremble.
"Good Jack, let's go! I'll get you out of here."
