AN: All of us need a little break from the mission. That said, we are picking up immediately following Sam's debrief. This chapter and the next are going to look a little bit at the secondary traumatic effects to those around Jack and Sam. No one is unscathed.
***SG1***SG1***
Watching as Jack moved slowly down the hallway to the infirmary, Daniel swallowed the lump that had taken residence in his throat. As much as he was hurting, he knew others were in worse shape. If he had any doubt of that, it was confirmed by the steadying hand the General had on Jack's arm. When the pair reached him he simply said, "Janet's examining her and getting her settled."
Nodding, Jack seemed to draw a breath and square his shoulders. Looking around, he frowned. "Where's Teal'c?"
Looking down, Daniel shifted before answering. "He's taking a break. He isn't handling what he heard so well." Raising his eyes toward the General, he added, "Might want to put an extra guard on the control room tonight." While he tried to keep his voice light, the truth of the implied statement hung in the air.
A tight smile pulled on the General's features. "I'll keep that in mind."
"What happens now?" Daniel asked, a frown pulling on his face.
"The inquiry isn't over," George said, looking to see Jack's nod that he was aware of that. "I'm not going to allow Major Carter to go back in there. There's no reason to put her through any more," he added, his voice quiet. Shaking his head as if to force a thought from it, he gave the men a tight smile. "She will be given the best care possible."
Shifting, Jack cleared his throat. "Fraiser told me she is going to ask to bring in somebody from Bethesda. A specialist."
Holding up his hand, George simply said. "Whatever she needs." Seeing the flash of relief pass across Jack's features, he added, "and that goes for you too Jack."
"Thank you, sir," Jack said softly. "Just make sure Carter's cared for."
Swallowing, a frown crossed the General's features. "Jack," he began, pausing to find the right words. "They're going to try to use your relationship with Sam against you. Say you're too close. You know that don't you?"
"I know."
Daniel flinched at the tired acceptance in Jack's tone. "General, Jack didn't do anything that any of us of wouldn't have done in that situation."
"Maybe," George acknowledged the possibility of Daniel's words. Giving him a tight smile, he added, "Let's hope they see it that way."
"I've sedated her," Janet said coming to a stop next to the three men. "She was pretty distraught by the time we got here," she added quietly. "She'll be out for a couple hours at least." Running an assessing eye over the others, she stopped on Jack. "When was the last time you slept sir?" she prodded gently.
Shaking his head, Jack grimaced. "More than an hour or so?" he asked cheekily. Getting a 'you know what I mean' look from the doctor, he confessed, "Couple days," rubbing the back of his neck.
"I told Colonels Nelson and French that Jack would be in the infirmary tonight under your care," Hammond stated. "I think it will do him and Major Carter some good."
"I agree," Daniel stated flatly. "If nothing else, maybe Janet can give you something to sleep." He ignored the glare thrown his way.
"That's entirely possible," Janet said, taking Jack's arm to lead him inside. "Come on Colonel. Let's you and I spend a little quality time together."
Rolling his eyes, he allowed the doctor to pull him closer to the doorway. Pausing, he tensed as they crossed the threshold. Getting a look from Janet, he jutted his chin at the other staff in the room. "They ready for me to be in here?"
Darting her eyes toward the staff that had paused to stare at the Colonel, Janet swallowed before plastering a smile on her face. "Their professionals. They'll be fine," she said, her voice a little louder than before to let the staff know they were talking about them. It seemed to work as the nurses and orderlies resumed their previous tasks. Putting pressure on his arm, Janet urged Jack towards an examination bed.
***SG1***SG1***
Coming into the gym area, Daniel paused as he heard the sound of gloves hitting a bag. From the force of the blows, he was glad he was not on the receiving end of them. Taking a few steps forward, he nodded at the passing airman before coming to a stop behind Teal'c. He could see the sweat shining off the big man's arms and soaking his teeshirt.
After he had escorted Sam to the infirmary, Teal'c had paused only long enough to make sure he was no longer needed. Although Teal'c had tried to hide it, Daniel caught the look of distress that passed over the big man's face as he turned away from Sam.
Waiting until Teal'c paused to take a breath, Daniel called his name. "Here. Looks like you need this more than me," he said holding out a bottle of water.
A grunt as another fist hit the bag answered his statement. Looking down, Daniel tried a different tack. "Janet has sedated Jack and Sam, give 'em both a chance to get some rest. We're suppose to bring them something to eat later."
More fists hitting the bag resounded in the air.
Pursing his lips, Daniel shuffled. "Think it's only fair to warn you that I told the General to put more guards in the Gate room." Seeing a slight falter in Teal'c's rhythm, Jackson pressed. "Jack said to tell you to not do anything without him, and since he's indisposed..." Daniel trailed off, letting the rest of the statement dangle.
Moving into Teal'c's peripheral vision, Daniel assessed the emotions flickering over the big man's face. "Somehow, I don't think the people on the planet are who you hate the most right now," he said quietly.
The words brought Teal'c's hands to a rest on the bag to stop its swinging.
"You want to talk about it? "
"In my time with Apophis many such incidents occurred," Teal'c said flatly, his gloves still resting on the bag.
Looking down, Daniel scuffed his shoe against a spot on the floor. "Like Sam's?" he finally asked. Seeing a slight nod in reply, Daniel averted his eyes back towards the floor. "You?" he asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
"No," Teal'c breathed. "But I did nothing to stop them." Turning from the bag, he grabbed a strap on one glove with his teeth and yanked to loosen it. Putting his hand under his other arm he pulled his hand from the glove and looked at the red knuckles. "If the woman survived, it was considered a blessing on her and she was released." Yanking off the other boxing mitt, he added, "I am no longer sure that is true."
Shock flickered across Daniel's face. "You think it would have been better for Sam to die?" he asked, his tone low, deliberate. Swallowing, he held his breath waiting for Teal'c's answer.
The blunt question drew the Jaffa's gaze. "I do not wish death for MajorCarter." Turning, Teal'c moved over and hung up the boxing gloves on a hook. "There was no consideration of the woman; no thought of what would happen to her once she was released." Looking around the empty room, he added, "She ceased to be of our concern."
"She was a thing, a tool," Daniel stated flatly. Watching the slow subtle movements of the punching bag, he added, "It's what they teach you... to be a good soldier. Dehumanization; separation between you and them," his eyes slowly trailing to Teal'c back. "So you can do what is deemed necessary. We all have done it." The words left an acrid taste in his mouth.
A glance from Teal'c had him clarifying, "Not what was done to Sam. No," Daniel said, a wince creasing his forehead. "But other stuff, just as bad, in a different form," he breathed, raising eyes to the Jaffa.
Walking over to grab a towel, Teal'c ran it over his face. "I wish to seek retribution for what has been taken."
"Jack did that," Daniel said softly.
"It is inadequate," Teal'c stated flatly.
Pursing his lips, Daniel nodded slightly. "Teal'c" he began, pausing, "nothing can undo what has been done. And we need to be careful... for Sam's sake." Seeing a slight canter of the other man's head, he continued. "Her head's messed up right now; they took a lot from her in every sense of the word. She's blaming herself for everything including the fact that Jack killed those men. We," he gestured between them, "have to be careful we don't do anything to add to that guilt."
"Neither MajorCarter nor O'Neill have done anything wrong," Teal'c replied.
"Not everyone agrees," Jackson countered. "Besides, it's irrelevant what anyone else thinks. It's what they think that matters and right now, neither think they're worth much. It's going to take some time for them to work through it."
A sigh passed through Teal'c frame. "At times, I am unsure if that is possible."
Shifting uncomfortably, Daniel allowed a breath to pass. "We have to think it is," he said softly. "At least we have to act like it is when around them." Forcing a small reassuring smile on his face, he held out the bottle of water. "Here. By the time you get cleaned up, it'll be time to head back to the infirmary."
Staring at the bottle for a moment, Teal'c finally reached for it. Taking hold of it but not taking it from Daniel's hand, he locked eyes with the archeologist. "If an opportunity presents itself to seek redress for what has occurred, I will not hesitate to take it."
Scanning the determination in the Jaffa's face, Daniel swallowed thinking of all the possible meanings to his words. "I know," he finally said. "And I'll be right there with you."
***SG1***SG1***
AN2: Hey, I said break from the mission, not break from angst. :) BTW, take one step forward if you wish to volunteer to go with Teal'c and Daniel.
AN3: Also - I was asked about frequency of posts. Will continue to try to get a chapter out per week but upcoming work schedule and holidays could impact this. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for your patience.
