Sigh - all I seem to do is apoligize to you my readers! I am sorry for not updating more frequently as I really hate leaving a story (or stories) hanging. I also meant this to be the last chapter, but my muse took over and forced me to keep going. I hope you are all okay with this one continuing a bit.
Thanks as always for the kind words from my readers. Reviews help me when life is hectic and writing is hard - so please, keep them coming!
"Colonel O'Neill!"
Sam and Daniel looked at each other and grinned. They could hear Janet's voice carrying throughout the Infirmary, calling for the Colonel.
"Where is that man", she muttered, not even noticing the two new arrivals as they stepped into the room. "I'm going to kill him!"
"Hi Janet", Sam called. She grinned again when the Doctor jumped and looked at her, an expression of extreme frustration on her face.
"Oh, Hi Sam, Daniel. Have you seen Colonel O'Neill?" she asked.
"No, isn't he here?" Sam asked. She glanced around the room as if he could be hiding somewhere.
"Drat! No, he's gone. I told him he could get out of bed for a few minutes and the next thing I know he's totally absconded. He's not well enough to be running around the base. I only told him he could sit in a chair for a bit until the nurse came to give him his bath."
"Well that explains it", exclaimed Daniel. "You know Jack – he hates having to take bed baths."
Janet sighed. "I know and I get the fact that he's been stuck in here for too long. But he's been very sick and I had to make he was well on the road to recovery before letting him go. I've only just –" she stopped speaking, looking suddenly guilty for being about the reveal patient information. "Could you two go and find him for me? I can't leave the Infirmary right now as I have other patients to look after."
"Sure Janet", Sam grinned again, as the Doctor walked away muttering under her breath. "We'd better bring him back quickly or Janet's going to have his liver for breakfast!"
"Ooh – that's disgusting", answered Daniel as he followed her out of the room. "Where do you think he's gone?"
"Probably to see Teal'c or to the cafeteria to get something to eat", she said. "Why don't you check Teal'c's room and I'll look to see if he's in the cafeteria."
"Sure – you might want to check out Siler's work room as well. He could be hiding there."
"Good thought. I'll meet you back here in 20 minutes if I don't find him."
The two friends split up and went in search of their errant leader. As much as they enjoyed watching the constant dance between the Colonel and Dr. Frasier, both of them knew that she was right. He really wasn't up to wandering around too far. Up until the day before he'd still been hooked up to most of the wires and tubes. Although he was getting better day by day, he was still weak and in some pain.
Sam frowned as she thought about her CO. The poison had done a real number on him and she knew Janet was still worried. He wasn't snapping back as quickly as he usually did and she knew the Doctor was concerned there'd been some permanent damage.
The Colonel himself seemed to be relatively happy – or at least as happy as he ever was in the Infirmary. If he was worried that he wasn't getting better, he hid it well. She snorted to herself – the Colonel always hid things well – at least anything about how he was really feeling. She had a suspicion that his 'grand escape' today was one way he had of dealing with the uncertainty of his condition – and a way of proving to Janet that he was really alright.
She didn't find him in the Cafeteria, although Sergeant Jimenez, who was behind the counter, told her that the Colonel had been in. "He came in and grabbed a slice of cake Major", he told her. "He said he was going to go eat it where – uh – "
"Where?"
"Where the Doctor couldn't find him, Ma'am," he answered.
She could tell from his hesitation that Colonel O'Neill had probably used more colorful language to describe Dr. Frasier. She thanked the Sergeant and headed out, hoping he'd gone to Teal'c's room and that Daniel had already found him.
She checked Siler's work room first, just to be on the safe side, but he wasn't there and Siler hadn't seen him. She thought for a moment and decided to look in one more spot, although she doubted he'd be there.
When she arrived at his office she paused and then reached out and knocked. After waiting and knocking again, she decided to open the door and look inside.
The room was dark, and she was about to close the door and leave, when she heard a soft voice.
"Major", the Colonel said.
Surprised, she opened the door wider and flipped on the light, only to see him sitting on the floor, his back leaning up against the wall. "Are you alright Sir", she said, rushing over to him and kneeling down. He was white and there was a sheen of sweat on his face. "Sir?" she asked again.
"I'm fine Major", he lied. "Just felt like a rest."
"Yes, I can see that Sir", she said. "Maybe I should call the Infirmary and have someone bring a gurn -"
"I am not being wheeled out of here Major", he interrupted. "Just give me a minute and I'll get up and we can go back. I'm sure Janet's mad as fire at me."
"Yes Sir, I'd say she was and the longer you take to get back the worse she's going to be."
The Colonel grimaced, knowing he was in big trouble. He'd be lucky if he didn't hear something from the General about his little adventure. He'd known it was stupid, right from the moment he'd stood up and walked out of his room. It's just that he was about to go crazy, cooped up in the small, dark room. And then, having one of Janet's nurses give him a damn bed bath was the worst humiliation of all.
Besides all that, he hated the fact that he still felt so weak and sick. He had expected to be better by now. It had been two weeks since they'd gotten back and he'd hoped to be up and around after a few days. Instead, he'd been bed ridden the entire time.
"I'm sorry Major", he suddenly said, realizing that he'd probably worried his teammates. He really hadn't meant to be gone for so long – it's just he'd gotten so dreadfully tired and his office had been closer than the Infirmary.
"That's okay Sir", she replied softly. "I know it's hard to be stuck in the Infirmary for all this time. I don't blame you for wanting to get out."
"No, but Janet will!" he said.
"Yes, she will – so next time you'd better get Daniel or Teal'c or me to help you so you won't get caught!"
He looked up at her in surprise and couldn't help returning her grin. God he – cared for this woman! "Help me up Major", he finally said. Normally he wouldn't have wanted to show such weakness, but Sam had seen him in even worse shape. Besides that, she'd probably whip his butt if he tried any more asinine stunts.
She stood up and then reached down and helped him stand. He stumbled when he got up and she had to steady him but didn't say anything, knowing how much he hated feeling helpless. "Are you sure you can make it back okay Sir", she asked. "I can run and get a wheelchair."
"Over my dead body Carter", he growled. "Just give me your arm and I'll do just fine."
It took a while before they arrived back in Janet's domain, and by that time the Colonel was sweating freely from the exertion. He was also looking even paler than ever. It was probably that very thing that kept him from getting a tongue lashing from the Doctor. She took one look at him and didn't say a word. She just took over from Sam and led him to bed. Once he was safely tucked in she went and got two pills and a glass of water.
"Here", she said, handing him the small cup with the pills. He took them without argument and downed them quickly, not even bothering to ask what they were. He was smart enough to know when total retreat was in order.
Janet spent the next couple of minutes checking out his vital signs, again without saying a word. Sam watched from the back of the room and could tell that the Colonel was starting to get a bit freaked out. A raging Janet, a bossy Janet, even a sarcastic Janet he could handle – a silent, disappointed Janet was hard for even O'Neill to take.
"I'm sorry Janet", he finally gave in and apologized. "I really didn't mean to – I just – I was feeling so trapped", he explained. "I needed to feel – free – just for a bit. I didn't mean to be gone for so long."
Sam shook her head as she saw the good Doctor crumble. Janet would have stood her ground and given the Colonel hell if he'd tried to justify his actions. His sincere apology – said in a voice which he rarely used, but showed his vulnerability – touched the very soft part of Janet's heart.
"I understand Sir", she answered gently. "I know this is hard for you and I'm trying to get you healthy enough so you can go home. For now you need to be here, okay?"
"Okay", he answered seriously. He knew when he was beat.
Suddenly Sam could see the fire in Janet's eyes and knew what was coming.
"And if you ever do something like that again I'll –"
"You'll - ?" O'Neill looked at her askance.
"I'll make sure you have to wear the short hospital gown and I'll tell my nurses to give you a daily bath!"
His eyes got big and he looked terrified – although Sam could see the twinkle in his eye. "Not the short ones Doc!"
"Yes Colonel the very short ones."
"But – "
"Exactly!" she answered. "And my nurses will enjoy looking at it!"
Sam couldn't help but giggle, picturing the Colonel walking around with his – backside – hanging out. Actually, she thought to herself, she'd quite like to see that!
By the time Janet was finished, O'Neill was almost asleep. Janet patted his arm gently and turned towards Sam. "He should sleep for awhile. I gave him some pain meds and a mild sedative. I expect his little jaunt has exhausted him."
"He'll be okay though won't he?"
"Yes, he'll be fine. If anything I think the walk about may have done him some good. He hasn't been resting well and I think some of that has to do with his enforced bed rest. The Colonel doesn't do well confined to small spaces." Janet stopped, seeming to realize she'd said too much. "I have to go check on some of my well-behaved patients. Stay if you want, just make sure and let him rest."
"I will Janet", she replied, pulling up a chair and sitting next to the Colonel. She was surprised to find him still awake, although well on the way to slumberland.
"Thanks Sam", he said softly.
"For what Sir?" she asked.
"For saving my butt again", he replied.
She smiled. "Well Sir – that's the least I could do – although speaking of butts - I kinda wish -"
"Wish what Major?" he asked, waking up a bit.
"Oh, just that I could see you in that little bitty hospital gown."
His eyes opened wide at that, as did his mouth. He had no idea how to answer his 2IC after such a comment so he simply gave up, closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off to sleep.
Sam was embarrassed, unable to believe she'd said that – although she knew it had been worth it when she saw the small smile on the Colonel's face. Even long after he'd fallen asleep it remained. What it meant exactly, she didn't know – all she did know, was that she felt very warm inside.
It was another few days before Janet declared the Colonel well enough to go home, but only under the condition that someone stayed with him. As much as Sam would have liked it to be her, she knew that would cause tongues to wag. So instead Daniel had volunteered to stay.
"Are you sure Daniel?", Sam asked, awed at his self-sacrifice. They all knew what the Colonel was like when he felt he was forced to have what he called a 'babysitter'.
"I'm sure Sam. Actually, he's been pretty good and I brought earphones in case he starts bugging me too much."
"Okay, if you're sure. I'll come over and help out as much as I can and I'm sure Teal'c will as well."
"Oh yes – both of you are definitely going to help on this one. There's no way I'm taking total responsibility for a crabby Jack O'Neill."
"I'm not crabby Daniel", Jack said, coming up silently behind his team. He'd been let go from the Infirmary and was on his way to the briefing room. Although Sam had told the General her side of the mission, they hadn't yet had an official debriefing since Jack had been in the hospital.
"Not yet you're not", Daniel said calmly. "You will be."
"I will not!" Jack glared at the younger man. "I never get crabby."
He heard a disbelieving 'snort' and turned quickly to Major Carter. She was standing totally quiet, without expression. He narrowed his eyes at her, suspecting her innocent face was hiding a multitude of sins. "What? You think I get crabby Carter?" he asked. He hated to admit it, but he enjoyed bugging her. There was nothing quite like putting your subordinate on the spot – especially when she was as brilliant as Sam.
"Yes Sir", she answered, without a blink of an eye. "Very crabby", she expanded.
"And here I thought I could count on you", he said, pretending to be hurt. "I thought you were the one person who would defend me, even if no one else did!"
"Uh sorry Sir. I'll defend you from Jaffa and aliens with poison arrows – but I really can't lie for you", she said with a grin. "Anyway, I'm afraid in this case it will be Daniel who needs defending."
"Geesh!" he shook his head, turned and walked towards the Briefing room. The rest of his team could hear him muttering something about 'betrayal' and 'over-sensitive archaeologists' all the way down the hall.
Sam turned to Daniel and grinned. Yup – the Colonel was definitely on his way back.
"All right people", General Hammond said as he entered the room. "Let's get this over with. Colonel, it's good to see you up and around."
"It's good to be both up and around Sir", Jack answered, "although I would like to put in a formal complaint about my team – for slander Sir."
"Really?" the General looked amused and glanced briefly around the table. "And how have they slandered you Colonel?"
"Uh – we called him crabby Sir", Daniel responded. "You know how he gets when he's recuperating."
Hammond faced the Colonel. "I'm afraid he's right son. I really don't think you have a leg to stand on here. Dr. Jackson only spoke the truth, so that's not slander."
"Et tu, General Hammond?" Jack asked, sounding pathetic. He sighed heavily. "I guess I can always go and live with Thor", he said. "He thinks I'm the next step in human evolution!"
"Doesn't mean you're not crabby", interjected Daniel.
"All right everyone", the General laughed. "I think we'd better get to the debriefing. I've already received a complete report from you Major, so it's really Colonel O'Neill that I'd like to hear from – at least about your mission. Then I'd like a report from you Major on the box you brought back."
"Yes Sir", Sam answered.
O'Neill sighed again, but dutifully began to recite his experience on the planet. From the point he'd been captured, until they'd arrived back on earth, his account was sketchy. Much of the time he'd been too ill, or unconscious to really know what was going on.
"One thing I do know though Sir, and that's if it hadn't have been for Carter, I wouldn't be here" he narrowed his eyes at Daniel "and then I wouldn't have the chance to be crabby - if I was going to be, which I'm not!"
"I agree Colonel", the General replied. "Major Carter's actions clearly saved your life, resulted in another Jaffa joining the fight against the Goa'uld and allowed us to obtain an Al'Kesh – something which has created great joy in Area 51 by the way. Your courage, fortitude and quick thinking have been noted in your file Major."
"Thank you Sir", Sam said, looking slightly flushed. Jack looked at her with pride. She was part of his team – and he was as proud as – he stopped that thought – no way was he going to compare himself to her father. He was just damned proud! He was also going to put her up for a medal. He'd already spoken to Hammond about it and he'd agreed.
"So Colonel, that's all you can remember", the General got back to the mission.
"Uh – ye – es" he bit his lip briefly. "Except for the box – I do remember it."
"The box? What do you remember?" Hammond asked, although he'd heard most of the story from Major Carter.
"Well, I was fighting the Goa'uld – old 'Soapdish' and – uh – he was getting the upper hand. I was too weak to do much. Somehow though I touched the damned box and he just – disappeared", Jack said, looking puzzled. He'd tried many times to figure it out, with no luck.
"Disappeared? Do you think you sent him somewhere?" Sam looked surprised at that – she hadn't even considered that possibility, simply assuming that Sopdu was dead.
"Nooo – at least I don't think so. I don't know how I know, but I'm pretty sure he's – kaput, gone, finished, defunct."
"Do you have any idea then what the box did to make him – uh – disappear?"
"No Sir – except – well, while we were fighting I pretty much figured I was toast. He was about ready to knock me to kingdom come, when I suddenly wished he'd just – you know – kind of – disappear – and he did."
"Are you saying you did it? You were the one who made him disappear?" The General looked astounded, and slightly worried.
"No General – it was the box. It opened just as I thought that and there was a flash of light – and he was gone. The box definitely got rid of him."
"But Sir", Sam frowned, "Do you think it somehow read your thoughts or responds to your wishes?"
He shrugged lightly. He had no idea – but he did know he didn't want to have anything to do with it. Wait a second, he thought. He glanced at Sam and smiled slightly. What if he asked the Box for Cart – down Jack! You're going to get in trouble thinking things like this! Still – it was an intriguing thought."
"From what I understand Jack, the box somehow responds to you. Any idea why?" General Hammond wanted to know.
"No Sir, none." He smiled slightly. "I told Carter it was my magnetic personality."
The General laughed. "You could be right Colonel! Any thoughts Major? What have you been able to find out about it?"
"Well Sir", she said, running her hands through her hair in frustration, "I'm afraid not much, other than the fact that it only seems to respond to the Colonel. I haven't been able to get it open or to see inside. In a way it reminds me of the orb we brought back a few years ago that pinned the Colonel to the wall -"
"Don't tell me that Major", Jack looked slightly panicked. "Could this thing be, you know, another 'orb of death'?" He looked at the General. "I suggest we get rid of it Sir. It could be too dangerous to keep around."
"I've checked it over carefully Colonel and haven't found anything that looks as if it's dangerous."
"Major – you didn't find anything on the damn orb either – and I spent a day hanging like a damned bug stuck to a wall. The damned alien things seem to like me for some reason. Besides that, it totally disintegrated a human being. I'd say that was dangerous."
"Yes Sir", she answered, looking slightly abashed. "It's just that it hasn't done anything at all since we've returned. We're keeping it in a lead-lined vault with every possible precaution. And as far as disintegrating things, so do zats!"
"Okay, so that's true – but still,", Jack replied. "It's alien. You can never trust those alien doohickeys."
"Uh Jack", Daniel finally spoke up. "I understand how you feel but we've had lots of alien – uh - objects and most of them haven't been a problem. In fact, a lot of them have been helpful."
"Really? Anyone remember the X-301? I almost got to see the Oort cloud up close and personal! And then there were the lovely nanites from Argos – I'm much too young to have problems with my prostate. Oh, and let's not forget that damned light that we were all addicted to. Carter and I almost came to blows over it!"
"Really?" Daniel looked intrigued. "I didn't know that. What about?"
"It doesn't matter" Jack answered, looking a little uncomfortable, "because, as I was saying we've come across all sorts of alien technology that we would have done much better to leave alone. I mean, what about that entity thing that got Carter, or my personal favorite, the damn machine that grabbed us and made us relive some of the worst moments of our life - "
"I hear what you're saying Jack", the General interrupted, "and I agree that we have to be extremely carefully. However, I believe Major Carter is being extremely careful. And you know as well as I do that one of our mission objectives is to find technology that could assist us in defeating the Goa'uld. From what Major Carter has described, and what you just told us, this could be it."
Jack sat silently, knowing what the General was saying was true. And the fact was that normally he was the first to want to find some kind of honkin' space gun. This time, however, he had the creeps. There was something about that damned box that was – sinister. He didn't like it and didn't want it anywhere near him or earth – or Carter. Maybe it was just because he worried that he'd thought it into killing that was bothering him. Whatever it was though, he wanted it gone.
"Sir", Carter looked at General Hammond. "I've had requests from Area 51 to send the object to them. They want to examine it -"
"NO!" Jack sat up straight. "No way Sir. You can't let it out of here. It's too dangerous!"
"But I thought you did want it gone Colonel?" The General asked impatiently.
"I want it off earth Sir – not sent to those idiots at Area 51. They'll end up taking a jackhammer to it and next thing you know – 'poof' – earth is gone."
"Do you believe this thing has the potential to destroy the planet Colonel, Major?" Hammond looked at the two of them, his voice suddenly laced with concern.
"I don't know Sir – that's what the Goa'uld believed." Carter replied.
"And that's not all Sir", Jack threw in. "We know it can turn the gate off and on and it can kill people instantly. We have no idea what else it can do and I for one don't want to find out."
"There was writing on it as well, wasn't there?" Hammond said. Looking at Daniel he asked, "were you able to decipher the words Dr. Jackson?"
"Uh yes General, although they don't mean much." He picked up his notes and fumbling around for a second he pushed his glasses up and read: "The one who is blessed will hold the Men'ra" he looked up – "uh, the box – and will open the door to the universe. Let not the wicked hold sway, let not the evil one release that which is within. He shall be damned and will bring the judgment of the wise and bring all to an end."
There was silence at the table until finally the General took a deep breath. "So, any idea what all that means?"
"Not really Sir", Daniel responded, "Although it's clearly a warning not to open the thing unless you're this 'blessed one'" At that all eyes turned towards Jack.
"What?" he looked back and forth between his teammates and the General. "What?" he repeated. "Don't look at me – I'm not the damned 'blessed one'."
"I didn't say you were Jack, although if the shoe fits - ?"
"It isn't a shoe – it's a damned box – and I'm still not this guy! Any anyway – the Goa'uld could control the gate with it, it's not just me!"
"You're right Sir – that's the one thing we seem to do. The outside controls allow us to jam the gate – but that's all we can figure out."
"Why didn't you say that before?" he snarked. Clearly the Colonel was feeling uncomfortable. "So – that could easily mean that any one of you are this blessed one person. I probably just held it at the right time or at the right angle."
Again there was silence, although there were also a few skeptical eyebrows raised. Teal'c had said nothing so far, but finally he spoke. "O'Neill, there is no shame in being the person who can operate the device. As long as you are not this 'evil one' you should have no fear."
"Gee, thanks Buddy. Now I have to worry that I may be evil – on top of being blessed and crabby."
"Jack – just forget that I called you crabby, okay? I promise not to mention it again!"
"Huh! Too late Jackson – it's already out there!" Jack glared at his friend.
Daniel sighed and looked to Sam for help. She simply grinned, enjoying the – the normalcy of the whole meeting. She snorted softly when she realized that a discussion about potentially deadly alien technology was something she considered normal! It was just that it was so great to see the old Colonel O'Neill. She'd been so worried about him.
Suddenly though she looked closely at him and realized that he was looking tired. As much as he sounded like his old self he had just been released from the Infirmary. He needed to go home and go to bed.
"So Major, what is your recommendation on the box?" The General decided to end the meeting. He too had noticed how tired his Second in Command was looking.
"I think it needs more testing Sir", Sam said, "but I agree with Colonel O'Neill that we should be extremely careful. I was thinking the best thing to do might be to take it off world for further tests. That way if there is a problem we won't put the SGC – or earth for that matter – in danger."
"Unless it destroys the whole universe, like the Goa'uld said!" Jack muttered.
"I think that's highly unlikely Sir – not from something that small!"
The Colonel 'harumphed' but didn't say anything more. The truth was he could barely think he was feeling so tired. He really wanted to go home and collapse into bed.
"I think that sounds like an excellent idea Major", the General agreed. "For now let's leave it locked up. As soon as the Colonel is on his feet again, I'll have SG1 take a trip to the Alpha site where you can carry out further tests."
"Thank you Sir", Sam replied. Daniel nodded, as did Teal'c. Jack sat quietly, staring at the table in front of him.
The other occupants of the room all looked at each other and, with a nod from General Hammond, stood up.
"Dismissed people. Jack, you go on home and take it easy. You're not to do anything until Dr. Frasier gives the go ahead."
"Thank you Sir", Jack stood up, although he had to brace himself on the table. He waited until the General had left and then slowly made his way to the door. He was so tired he didn't even notice how close his team stuck to him, ready in case he needed them.
"I'll drive you home Jack", Daniel offered. He knew that Jack was exhausted by the fact that the other man simply nodded in acceptance.
"I'll stop by later Sir", Sam offered.
"Kay Major", he answered softly. He then seemed to pull himself together and he turned to his companions. "I'm just tired", he explained, knowing they were probably all worrying about him. "A good nap and then some spicy Mexican or Thai food – and I'll be fine."
"Okay Colonel", Sam patted his arm. "Teal'c and I will bring the dinner."
"Don't forget the beer Major!" Jack smiled, knowing that Janet had strictly prohibited it – and had made sure that all his team knew that.
"Uh – I'll bring the beer Sir – root beer."
"You're a cruel woman Sam", he said.
"I know Colonel – but it's for your own good."
"Famous last words", he murmured, as he entered the elevator.
The last picture she had was of a very tired – but alive – Colonel. She just wished she was the one taking him home.