Mitchell had made sure his SF men were guarding Vala at all times. Woosley had his men guarding the SF men and Vala. He didn't want SG1 to have any advantage of what was going on with Vala. Teal'c, and Jack took turns staying with Vala by her beside, while Mitchell took on the task of finding out, who was feeding Woosley information. Mitchell wanted to believe that maybe someone on base had a grudge against Vala, but his mind kept drifting to the scene where Woosley was speaking to Daniel in the hallway, outside the infirmary, and how Daniel was evasive about what Woosley and he were discussing.
Mitchell decided to confront Daniel and found him still in his lab. Daniel didn't even look up , or ask what was going on. This made Mitchell even more suspicious.
"Jackson, why are you still here in the lab? Didn't you hear the alarms going off. Usually you would be the first one to ask, what's going on?"
Daniel didn't answer at first, but Mitchell was starring him down, waiting for his answer. When Daniel still didn't respond, Mitchell grabbed the book Daniel was reading and threw it against the wall. Daniel looked up and gave Mitchell a meaningless stare.
"You know Jackson, I'm about ready to throw you against that wall. We are getting some rather disturbing information from Woosley that someone on my team is backing up his charges against Vala. Is there something you want to tell me or the rest of us?"
"No." Daniel walked over to where the book fell, and resumed his reading at his desk.
Mitchell raised his voice. "Dammit Jackson; If you've given Woosley any ammunition against one of your own, I and Teal'c are going to string you up by your heels. Vala doesn't deserve what Woosley has planned for her. No one does, and you sit here like nothing has happened. What's wrong with you?"
"If Vala is in trouble, then so be it. Why should we bail her out of trouble? She nothing but, and I would think you would be worried more about where Sam is, then what sort of trouble Vala is in."
Mitchell couldn't believe what he was hearing. He tried to calm himself, thinking maybe Jackson was not informed of the latest information, but it was no excuse to ignore the fact that Vala was a part of his team, and Jackson was all but throwing her to the wolves.
"Listen up Jackson, I know you're angry about something, but here's the latest news update. One; Sam is on her way here, safe and sound. Second; Vala is in the infirmary, very sick. Dr. Lam is doing everything in her power to find out what's wrong with her. Now, if you have any decency left in you, then come down and be with your friends to watch over Vala until Sam gets here. We don't leave one of our own twisting in the wind."
"Our own, that's a joke. I'm glad Sam is on her way here. But I prefer to do my job and translate these relics. My work is important and I don't intend to shirk my duty for the sake of con artist. Vala is Vala and she will always want attention. She'll snap out of whatever is wrong with her. She always does, so leave me to my job and you do yours." Daniel turned back to his books and computer and ignored Mitchell.
Mitchell was about to grab Daniel, when he heard Walter over the intercom system.
COL MITCHELL TO THE INFIRMARY. COL MITCHELL TO THE INFIRMARY.
Mitchell wanted to say more to Daniel, and his anger was certainly put to the test. He decided to just leave Jackson, and ran to the infirmary. Daniel looked up towards the door to make sure Mitchell was gone.
Always have them on your side, right Vala. What game are you playing this time? You're pulling us in again. Can't they see she's using them to get out of trouble. What better way to trick them, than being sick and get a lot of sympathy. They can't see right thru you like I can. Well, finally your getting your just deserts. I hope Woosley locks you up and throw away the key. I'm tired of being used. Let someone else take the bait
Daniel resumed his studies and ignored Mitchell's words. He didn't care anymore. He just didn't want to.
Sam had finally arrived at base. Woosley was made aware, but made no action to interrogate Col Carter, while Gen O'Neill was around. He would get his chance later he surmised. He wanted to plan on presenting the President with enough information to have Vala Mol Doran taken in IOA custody with sound backing. He would wait, he said to himself, he would wait.
Sam entered the infirmary and her worse worries where lying in that bed. Vala was unconscious and Jack and Teal'c were keeping vigil. Sam immediately was at Vala's side. Both men acknowledged how relieved they were to see Sam unharmed.
"How long has she been unconscious?" Said Sam.
"She arrived about an hour ago, and she was already passed out in the cab. What's going on Sam? What's happened to Vala and you?" Asked Jack.
Sam sat by Vala's bedside, holding her hand. She shook her head, trying not to let them see her eyes tear up. She only was concentrating on Vala's health and right now, everyone else was tuned out. Dr. Lam walked in and was at least relieved that Sam was there to fill her in.
The two men stood by and Mitchell finally walked in. The room was becoming a little crowded and Dr. Lam asked them to leave, except Sam.
"But Dr. Lam, I'm heading up an investigation. I need some answers and I need them now; Sam?" Stated Jack.
"They can wait General. I have a patient to tend to and I need answers more than you do, so please wait outside."
Sam looked at all three men and nodded her head in turn with Dr. Lam's suggestion.
"Ok, Dr. Lam; Sam? We'll be outside when you're finished." Jack put his hand on Sam's shoulder. She understood the gesture. "Were here for the both of you, ok."
Sam nodded and grabbed Jacks hand. He thought it strange at first, but coming from Sam, he understood how much his words meant to her.
All three men went inside the observation booth. They watched as Sam and Dr. Lam conversed. In the mean time Mitchell had some rather disturbing news for Jack.
"Jack, I'm not sure, but I think Jackson has been giving Woosley some rather bad advice. I spoke with him in his lab about Woosley and Vala in the infirmary." Mitchell shook his head, not wanting to believe Jackson ratted out Vala. "He was cold Jack. It was like he didn't care what happened to Vala. He said; Vala only wanted attention. That she will snap out of what's wrong with her. He said he had his job to do and Vala is conning us. There's definitely something wrong with that boy."
Jack took in what Mitchell was saying and he watched intently Sam and Vala. He knew something was wrong. It's the way Sam looked at Vala first and then took his hand as to draw strength.
"I too am worried about Daniel Jackson, O'Neill. He has become distant and has not contributed to this investigation. It is most unusual for our friend to not care what happens to Vala Mol Doran."
"I've know space monkey to do a lot of dumb things, we all have. But for him to give Woosley information about Vala is something I won't tolerate. Woosley will make his move soon enough and I know the President will want to answer his charges on Vala. Right now, my main concern is for Vala and Sam. There's something Sam's not saying that bothers me. Get Woosley down here. I want to know what he's doing and what charges he has against Vala."
"Already done Jack." Stated Mitchell.
"I will accompany you Col Mitchell."
As both men left, Jack turned his attention back to Sam and the Doctor. He tried not to show it, but he was worried for both women. Sam was quite and he watched the facial response Carolyn was giving her. He could easily listen to what they were both saying, but decided that it was private and he would get answers soon enough.
Dr. Lam was raising her hands in frustration. "What do you mean she doesn't want to be saved, dammit." Sam looked at Carolyn as frustrated as she was.
"I'm sorry Col Carter, I don't understand this, explain it to me again."
"Vala………….Vala had been sick for weeks, and she hid it from us. She said that her mother had the same illness and that there was no cure. Something in the family genes, that it was passed on to each generation. She kept saying that……………that there was nothing we could do. That she……………she wanted to be here when she………………she…………..
Sam was choking back her tears, remembering she was in the same situation with her father. There was nothing anyone could do. His cancer had progressed that it was too late to save him. Carolyn put a sympathetic face. She knew Sam has lost her father in this way.
"Tell me, Sam, what are her symptoms? Maybe we can try something unconventional. I can't just give up on her." Said Carolyn.
"Thanks Carolyn." Both women smiled at each other's intentions to save Vala.
"Her nose would start bleeding, when she coughed. She would be weak and tired after her bouts of coughing and sometimes it was difficult for her to go to the bathroom. She could eat broth, nothing heavy and water was all her stomach seemed to tolerate. I was working on a solution to her illness with other Doctors, but they all came up with the same diagnosis. They said it was a mutated cell in her blood stream."
"I've come to the same conclusion, but the factor is, that I don't have any background on Vala's mother or family illnesses. Can her father be reached at all?"
"I don't know; we can try, but no one knows where Jacek is, and I doubt that………that Vala wants his interference. She……………she wants me to do something for her Carolyn. I can only say she doesn't want anyone to put up a fuss. She's already resigned herself to not making it. I………we can't give up. I just don't know how much time she has."
"I know, I know. But, I'm going to do everything in my power to help her. She may not want it, but she's going to get it. I have some experimental medications, but, from what you're telling me, it seems her illness is some type of cancer. She's already weak, and her blood is mutating every hour on the hour. I've been trying to slow down the effects, but, I can only hope we come up with something more decisive in curing her. Whatever happens Sam, I have to follow the best course of action to make her as comfortable as possible."
Sam looked on Vala's pale face, wondering if there was anything anyone could do to save her. She admired how Vala was protecting her, even in her illness. Sam knew that Vala had to have made some type arrangements to clear her, to even come back to base to die. She knew how intelligent Vala was, and could only admire the women even more for returning; knowing what was waiting for her. She needed to speak to Jack, she needed to call in some favors.
TBC
