Impromptu meetings were always a pain in the ass but ones called that really had nothing to do with Jack really made his blood boil. He'd just wasted two hours of his life discussing the merits of sending teams to regular counselling sessions. Seeing as he himself despised all shrinks he'd not been the best person to consult on the issue actually. Luckily, he'd managed to persuade the General that he needed to check on his sick teammate rather than sit through Mackenzie's argument in favour.

After grabbing a couple of mugs of coffee he quickly made his way to the ICU where he was surprised to find Sam sitting outside with her head in her hands.

"Carter?" He placed the coffee on the magazine table and then knelt down in front of his second in command. "What's going on?"

Sam looked at him with tears brimming in her eyes. "Janet's doing more tests; he was burning up and not making much sense, sir."

"Dammit," Jack sighed, mentally kicking himself for not coming sooner.

"He was so upset."

"Nick?"

"I just don't understand how he could just leave Daniel behind."

"Me neither, Carter. Me neither," Jack gently rubbed Sam's arm and then pushed himself upright. "Did the Doc say how long she was gonna be?" He asked as he started to pace.

"She didn't say, sir. She just said she needed to run some more tests."

Jack tugged at his hair in frustration. He had hoped that his friend would be showing signs of improvement by now.

The serious look on Doctor Janet Fraiser's face when she suddenly exited the ICU immediately told him that there were no signs and when she indicated that he should take a seat, Jack knew that she had bad news.

"Doc?"

Janet pulled up a chair. "Daniel is settled for now but his temperature spiked and we've put him on a cooling blanket in an endeavour to lower it," she told them. "He's also hooked up to a heart monitor and back on oxygen and I've had to upgrade his condition to critical."

Jack cleared his throat. "What can we do, Doc?"

"There is little anyone can do I'm afraid. He is having the right treatment. It's up to Daniel, sir. Like I've said, he's young and strong."

"Can we sit with him?" Sam asked.

"Of course but don't expect much."

"Right, yeah, okay," Jack stuttered, not really knowing what to say. He was just so shocked that a simple thing like appendicitis could be so serious.

xxx

"Daniel. This is Mr and Mrs Cowan and they are going to be looking after you."

Sally Harrison held out the small hand she was holding towards Martha Cowan, the new guardian they had found for the young boy. Daniel had been under the care of Children Services for a little over four months as it had taken that long to find someone remotely suitable for the grieving child. Today was the day he was going to be introduced to his new family.

Martha knelt before Daniel and took his hand. "Please to meet you, Daniel," she smiled kindly before turning to the tall man stood beside her. "This is Mr Cowan," she introduced her husband who nodded curtly in response.

"Pleased to meet you," Daniel mumbled in reply as he ducked his head shyly.

"You are going to come and live with us now," Martha continued. "You'll like that won't you?"

"Yes, ma'm," Daniel whispered politely.

"We've decorated you room ready for you and I've got a nice pot of homemade stew on the stove for us for when we get home." Martha smoothed down Daniel's hair so it parted to one side as she spoke. "You do like stew, don't you?"

"Uh huh," Daniel shrugged and then turned pain filled eyes towards Sally, eyes that broke the social workers heart.

Sally had toyed with the idea of taking Daniel in for herself but the authorities always frowned at employees' involvement. She could have handed in her notice – left her position to care for the lost child but caring cost and she would need the income to look after Daniel. So, she was caught in the middle of a difficult situation that there was no clear answer to. Finding Daniel had good family had become her priority. If she couldn't take him in herself then she had to make sure who ever did actually deserve him.

Realising that Daniel was on the verge of tears, Sally quickly cleared her throat. "Right," she smiled at Martha Cowan. "I've got all his belongings here." She held out a small holdall.

"Is this all?" Martha frowned as she stood and accepted the bag.

"His parents travelled alot. This was all that was retrieved from their belongings."

"I see," Martha sighed and then handed the bag to her husband. "Is there anything else?" She asked as she grabbed Daniel's hand.

"No. That's about it," Sally smiled. "You've already filled in all the paperwork," she nodded as she flicked through Daniel's file. "We will just need to see Daniel every six weeks. I'll send you an appointment in the post." She placed the file back on her desk and knelt down in front of the now trembling child.

"It's time to go now Daniel," she smiled though her heart was breaking. "Mr and Mrs Cowan are going to take real good care of you," she reached and ran her fingers through Daniel's silky hair. "Be a good boy, okay?"

"'Kay," Daniel sniffed.

Sally looked up at Martha and nodded. "Don't forget, he's been through a very harrowing event..."

"We won't."

"If there are any problems, please contact me on the number I've provided."

"We will."

Returning her attention to the young boy once more, Sally quickly pulled him into her arms. "You are an amazing young man, Daniel Jackson," she whispered into his ear. "Just be h-happy." When her emotions threatened to over flow, Sally backed away and stood. "He's all yours," she managed to smile at the Cowans.

"Thank you," Martha returned the smile. "Come Daniel, let's go." She led the small boy out of the room and Sally felt her heart breaking watching him go.

When Daniel turned a tear stained face look at her as they reached the door, she was helpless to stop her own tears from falling.

The young boy was so special.

She was going to miss him so much.

Xxx

Janet took a deep breath before knocking on General Hammond's door. She waited to be told to come in and poked her head round the door.

"Have you got a moment, sir," she asked, flashing the General a small smile.

"Of course," George smiled back and indicated that she should take a seat. "How are things, Doctor Fraiser?"

Janet sighed and sat down. "Not good," she admitted.

"Doctor Jackson?"

"I think we should try and contact Nicholas Ballard, sir."

She hated the way the General paled and frowned at her suggestion. She didn't want to admit that they needed to prepare themselves for the worse but Daniel's condition was critical.

"It's that serious?" George eventually questioned softly.

"I'm afraid so. I can't make any promises and the next twenty four hours are going to be critical."

"I see." George sighed and leant back in his chair. "Are his team with him?"

"Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter are and Teal'c was on his way as I left."

"Is he conscious?"

"He's in and out, sir. We're making him as comfortable as we possibly can."

"Good, that's good," George nodded slowly before sitting in silence for a while. "The problem we have..." he eventually spoke, "...are the radiation spikes on PX7-377; you know how dangerous it is, Doctor."

"Yes I know, but maybe if Teal'c..."

"We're not even sure that Nicholas Ballard is still there, he could have been transported anywhere."

"But, if he is still there he would want to be with Daniel if the worse happened, more than that, I know that Daniel would want his grandfather with him. They became close again over the last week or so."

"I know that but there are a lot of risks involved in the return."

"Perhaps if I talk to Teal'c?"

"By all means see what he says. I'll talk to Washington; take their opinion on the situation."

"Thank you, sir. They should be given the opportunity to say goodbye if the worst happens, sir."

"Don't count that young man off just yet, Doctor Frasier. He's stronger than anyone gives him credit for."

"I know but things are not looking favourable at the moment, I'm afraid. I wish I had better news, I honestly do."

"So do I, so do I." George reached for his phone. "Right, I'll contact Washington."

Janet stood and pushed her chair back. "I'll return to my patient. Thank you, sir."

George nodded and smiled as he started to dial.

Janet took that as an indication to take her leave and she turned and walked out of the office with a heavy heart.

Delivering this sort of news was the worst part of her job.

xxx

Twelve year old Daniel Jackson lay staring at the ceiling, trying his hardest to shut out the medical staff who were hovering around his bed.

He didn't want to be here, mind you he didn't want to be anywhere at the moment least of all where he was supposed to call 'home.'

Mr Grant, his PT tutor, had discovered the bruises on his legs when he'd changed for class. Daniel had just shrugged them off as a fall of his bike but he knew that school hadn't been fooled.

Mrs Painter, his Art tutor, had discovered the bruises on his arms and that had resulted in a telephone conversation between his foster parents and the school – the result of 'that' had been the reason why he was now in hospital.

Frank Cowan had not taken kindly to the school's interference and had taken his annoyance out on Daniel, who he'd assumed had 'tittle tattled' – as he put it.

This wasn't the first beating Daniel had been on the end of from his foster father. Most things he did ignited Frank's temper but this time, things got out of hand – so much so that Daniel was in agony with four broken ribs and a tear in his spleen that had needed emergency surgery.

The aesthetic was beginning to wear off now and as it did the painful memories of the assault returned. Daniel could remember each blow, each kick, each stamp – and more...

He didn't want to remember the 'and more.' He wanted to block that out forever but he knew he wouldn't be allowed to that's why he'd asked the Doctor to contact Mrs Harrison. Sally would understand and hopefully, Sally would help.

Actually, there was no one else who Daniel could think of to ask for help. Frank Cowan was in police custody with his wife at his side. Even though Martha had called for an ambulance when she found Daniel unconscious in his room, her alliance was with her bully of a husband. Daniel knew how scared his foster mother was of his foster father – he'd heard the arguments, the threats and the follow through of the threats. The problem was that Martha loved Frank and had put up with the beating for so long and didn't know anything else. In her world, the abuse was the norm.

But, for Daniel, it wasn't the norm – it would never be the norm, he wouldn't let it.

Xxx

"Oh, Daniel." Sally Harrison sighed and took a seat at the sleeping boy's bedside.

She had immediately dropped everything when the call came from the hospital.

Why hadn't she seen it?

Daniel had been slightly withdrawn on his last couple of appointments but Sally had put it down to a change of schools. She should have delved further, this was all her fault – she was trained to recognise the signs of an abusive parent or guardian.

The problem with Daniel Jackson was that he was just so trusting, he didn't see the bad in anyone and was just grateful that the Cowan's had taken him in in the first place.

Martha Cowan had assured Sally that everything was alright, that Daniel had settled in well and loved nothing more than going fishing with his 'daddy,' Sally had believed her, the home visits had always been so positive – Frank Cowan always seemed to be so hands on with his foster son.

The bruises that now covered Daniel's body were the painful truth of how hands on Frank Cowan had actually been.

"Oh, Daniel," Sally repeated as she inched her chair closer to his bed. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Not expecting Daniel to answer, she jumped slightly when a soft voice mumbled – "I'm sorry."

"Are you awake, sweetie?"

"Uh huh." Daniel turned tear filled eyes and blinked slowly, allowing one tear to trickle down his bruised cheek. "I'm sorry, Mrs Harrison."

"Nothing to be sorry for," Sally gently wiped his tear away. "It's me who's sorry. I should have realised what was going on."

"I couldn't tell you, he was going to hurt Martha," Daniel sobbed.

"It's okay, really it's okay. Don't get upset. We'll sort everything out, I promise."

"I d-don't want to go b-back," Daniel hiccupped.

"You will not be going back – ever. You're safe now, he won't hurt you anymore – I give you my word."

"He really h-hurt me M-Mrs. Harrison."

"I know he did poppet and I'm so very sorry."

"He m-made me d-do t-things t-that I d-didn't w-want t-to d-do," Daniel admitted shakily and then turned his head away.

"Daniel?" Sally frowned, not liking what the young boy was suggesting one little bit. She perched on the edge of his bed and gently turned his head so Daniel faced her again. "What did he make you do?"

"I can't tell you."

"Of course you can, you can tell me anything – you know that."

"H-he," Daniel ducked his head and started to pick at a loose thread on his hospital blanket. "H-he..."

"Did he force himself on you, sexually, Daniel?" Sally decided to put forward the one thing that Daniel obviously didn't want to admit to, hoping with all her heart that she was wrong about the way the conversation was heading.

Daniel nodded his head slightly, avoiding eye contact at all times.

"Oh, Daniel." Sally reached and ran her fingers through his hair. "Did you tell the Doctors, sweetheart." The quick shake of Daniel's head told her all she needed to know. "It's going to okay, I promise, "she soothed when Daniel couldn't hold back the tears any longer. She reached and gently took him in her arms. "No one is going to hurt you, ever again."

A nurse, seeing that her patient was upset, immediately hurried over. "Is everything okay?"

"I need to speak to his Doctor," Sally smiled sadly and continued to rock the devastated boy.

How anyone could hurt Daniel was beyond her. At this moment, she hated Frank Cowan, the system and above all – Nicholas Ballard.

They had all failed Daniel and that was unacceptable.

Xxx

Jack wished he knew what was going on in Daniel's mind.

The archaeologist had been delirious for hours now, he was receiving all the medication he needed but still burned with a high fever. Janet and her team were keeping a very close eye on him, keeping him as comfortable as possible but it didn't stop him calling out and crying in distress.

Jack was with his teammate now as Sam was helping Teal'c prepare for the journey back to the planet – Washington having sanctioning the return without barely a second thought.

He was only aware of the passing of time by the 15 minute checks the staff were doing, checks that Janet was obviously not happy with judging by the slump of her shoulders as she manually double checked her readouts.

"Doc?"

Janet removed the thermometer she'd been using to re check Daniel's temperature and sighed heavily. "No change," she informed and picked up his chart.

"Dammit." Jack ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Daniel's temperature had stayed constant for over three hours ago. Janet had gone from being pleased that it had stopped climbing to being more than a little concerned that it hadn't gone down at all despite of the medication being pumped into Daniel's veins. "What can we do?"

"Nothing, sir," Janet hung the chart back on the end of Daniel's bed. "We're doing everything we can. We just have to try and stay positive and be there for him, sir."

"Goes without saying."

As Janet walked away, Jack dragged his chair closer to Daniel's bed and reached for his friend's hand. "You have to fight this, Daniel," he urged gently. "Don't let this beat you, you hear me..."