Title: Stargate: SG-1 – New Families (A New Beginnings sequel)
Summary: Colonel Samantha Carter's new found happiness is tested as circumstances out of her control threaten her family.
Rating: MA for Mature Readers.
Disclaimer: The following story is purely a work of fiction created by borrowing characters from a television series with the purpose of entertainment. Characters other than originals remain the property of creators Brad Wright & Jonathan Glassner. No profit is gained nor is any copyright infringement intended towards Sony Pictures Television, Gekko Film Corp & MGM Worldwide Television.
Author's Note:Please take the time to review and nourish the Muse.
Chapter 11
Dana felt warm rays of sunshine upon her face as she slowly regained consciousness. She was lying haphazardly on top of stone steps and every inch of her body ached. Before attempting to right herself, Dana took mental inventory of her injuries. The front of both shoulders had been opened by a knife as were her right biceps and left triceps. Her right arm was still numb, but the left was functional. That was a bonus. Her right leg was moveable unlike her right foot which was broken.
On the other leg, her thigh was the lucky recipient of a bullet that was safely tucked up in her quadriceps and man, couldn't she feel it. There were slash wounds to her forearms, but they felt only superficial, another windfall.
Rolling onto her left side, Dana gingerly sat up. The first thing she saw was the bastard who tried to kill Sam and inflicted the stab wounds upon her person. He was slumped up against the DHD and staring at her.
"Why did you come to my home?" he asked in a strained voice.
"To make contact and seek an alliance for trade," replied Dana truthfully. "The people you attacked were there in peace, they meant you no harm. Why did you assault them?"
"It was by order of our leader Orrick."
"You forced us into battle. All we wanted to do was to leave and return to our home."
"Orrick believes no one shall leave once they arrive."
"I don't mean to rude, but Orrick is an idiot."
"Maybe this is true, but he must be obeyed," admitted the man. "You are a fine warrior. You have mortally wounded me and I will die with honour in battle."
"Where are we?" asked Dana, ignoring the stranger's death speech.
"This land is known as Beech. You will be safe here. No one will harm you unless you overstay your welcome and Orrick sends more men."
"How long is that?"
There was no reply, only a vacant gaze from lifeless brown eyes.
Dana huffed, "Bonus number three." Knowing she needed to find a safe haven to attend to her wounds, Dana stood up and immediately bit her lower lip to quell the pain that scorched every fibre of her being.
Hobbling over to the DHD, she was relieved to discover the master control crystal in place, but pissed off to discover the panel had been removed and the internal wiring system in utter disarray.
"Ahh shit," she mumbled under her breath before staggering over to a sturdy tree several feet away.
Every step was agony, but worth it as she removed her kit with her left hand and lowered it to the ground. Sitting down behind her kit and with her back up against the tree, Dana had an unobscured view of the Gate.
Taking off her helmet, she opened her medical bag and withdrew a pair of scissors. Gradually, she cut off the right sleeve of shirt then her next step was to set up a cannula to administer some sodium and glucose to rehydrate her body.
Hanging the IV bag from a branch, Dana took a closer look at the laceration to her right shoulder. Painstakingly, she washed out the wound then stitched the wide open sides together. Her hope was the numbness was as a direct result of the trauma and not nerve damage. Time would tell, but for now, it was the best she could do.
Because of the position of the cut to her left shoulder, she was able to suture it after cutting off the sleeve material.
The lacerations to her forearms were minor and only required sterilisation and dressing. Not wanting to sedate herself for the pain, Dana bit into a tongue depressor as she pushed forceps into her quad in search of the bullet. It took two probes before she tracked its trajectory and latched onto the end.
After removing it, she cleaned out the site before stitching it up. Once she applied a dressing, Dana decided against taking off her boot to inspect her right foot. There was nothing she could do, if she wanted to stay mobile.
Injecting herself with a broad spectrum antibiotic, Dana reached for her water canister and two energy bars. Her body needed to replenish its blood supply as soon as possible before it was subjected to further trauma. She did however, move to a more secluded area that afforded her better coverage to rest while remaining undetected.
As the sun began its descent, Dana waited patiently until the last rays of sunbeams faded before taking on board more water and power bars. An hour later, she allowed herself to sleep in the hope her body would welcome the opportunity to heal. She dreamt of Sam and slumbered peacefully.
-o-
Janet nervously waited for the arrival of the SG teams at the bottom of the ramp and sighed with relief as SG-13 exited first, closely followed by a depleted SG-6 and SG-1.
She assessed the injured with haste as George joined her.
"General Hammond," began a subdued Jack. "Brigadier Ridley is MIA."
Janet gasped and turned to Sam. Her best friend was displaying signs of shock as well as wounds to both arms. The doctor ushered her to the Infirmary without asking any questions. She took Sam into cubicle four and drew the curtains, "Sweetie, I need to remove your vest and shirt."
Sam carried out the request in silence and Janet cleaned the left arm injury first, "Sam, I have to extract the bullet."
"Okay," replied Sam in a soft voice before telling Janet what had occurred.
Janet removed Sam's equipment and guided her to lie down. "We will find her sweetie," soothed the doctor as she set up a cannula on Sam's forearm.
"She was cut pretty bad Jan," whispered Sam, holding back the tears.
Nodding, Janet introduced a sedative into the IV line, "Just rest now Sam."
The blonde started to protest, but quickly drifted off. Janet worked swiftly to assess the other injuries and was impressed with Dana's suturing.
Five minutes passed before Janet spoke with Patrick and he followed the Colonel into the operating theatre.
-o-
"Dana, time to wake up," husked the naked blonde.
The brunette stirred in their large bed and complained, "I don't want to. Can't we sleep in today?"
A cute chuckle filled the room, "No baby, not this morning."
Dana lifted her head and glanced at the bedside clock, "Shit Sam, it's only four."
"I know, but I've been awake watching you."
Smirking, Dana slowly caressed her lover's stomach, "Oh, so this is a wakeup booty call then?"
Lowering her soft lips to Dana's shoulder, Sam answered in a sultry tone, "Very much so."
"In that case, good morning baby."
Leaning in, Sam captured Dana's lips in a hungry kiss.
The images vanished as Dana's body jolted with excruciating agony. "Oh dear shit," she uttered as she calmed her breathing and opened her eyes. "Sam," she whimpered in a near sob. Realising she had been dreaming and was still trapped on an unknown planet and wounded, she looked up to the twin moons and guessed the time to be around two am. A quick calculation told her she had been sleeping for over seven hours.
Gingerly, she withdrew her canteen and sipped slowly. Finding an M.R.E., Dana prepared the meal then ate. Every move she made was countered with pain as her injuries were subjected to the slightest motion. Biting down on her bottom lip, Dana pulled herself up to her feet and took her tool kit and torch over to the DHD.
As she lowered herself to the ground, she passed out.
-o-
The soft chatter drifted towards Sam and she prised her eyelids apart. Doctor Warner was standing to her left and in conversation with Janet.
Sam reached out with her left hand and croaked out, "Jan."
With a tremendous smile, Janet moved closer and took hold of the long fingered hand, "Hello there sleepy head."
"Dana?" queried Sam with tears in her eyes.
"Eight teams have returned to P8X-991 and started a search for remote controls."
Sam sighed, "I don't think they'll find any. I think the planet is only used as a stop off point and not their home world. I need to speak with General Hammond."
"Sweetie, it will have to wait. It's only early morning and he won't be here for another hour."
"Okay, but I need to get up and find Dana."
Janet reached out and smoothed the hair on Sam's forehead, "You aren't going anywhere."
Patrick interjected, "Colonel Carter, you have four bruised ribs, a small tear in your right rotor cuff and two bullet wounds to you upper arms. You need to recuperate and that means resting."
A lone tear slid down Sam's gaunt features, "I guess I can't argue with that."
"No you can't Sam," replied Patrick sympathetically. "It will be three days at best before you can leave the Infirmary."
"Got it."
Patrick excused himself and Sam gripped Janet's hand.
The doctor looked at the blonde's pleading eyes, "Okay, I'll have your laptop brought to you, but only two hours' work then you eat breakfast and rest."
Sam smiled slightly, "Thank you Jan."
"Don't thank me, buy me a gift," taunted the brunette. She bent down and kissed Sam's head, "Try to sleep while I gather your computer and check on Daniel."
"How is everyone else?"
"Good and your fiancée does excellent work out in the field. Daniel's injury is fine, but like the others, needs to be monitored for infection. If all goes well, they should be released tomorrow morning."
"That's excellent news."
Jack walked into the room, neared the bed and enquired, "How's she doing Doc?"
Janet listed the injuries then said, "Three days before she is on her feet."
"Good and Carter, I've just come from the Control Room and the teams have arrived home."
"Let me guess sir, no sign of soldiers or remotes," countered a downhearted Sam.
"Unfortunately that's correct and Daniel says P8X-991 is a go between planet."
"That was my thought too."
"You got any ideas yet?"
"If I can repair the Dial Home Device, I should be able to get into the memory storage unit and extract the last address dialled out."
"How long do you need?"
"A couple of hours at best sir."
Jack turned to Janet, "Any sooner than three days?"
"If Sam is ready to agree to remain in bed and not move, then perhaps another twenty four hours should see an improvement."
Jack beamed and hugged Janet, "That's why I love you Doc."
Janet giggled in response, "I swear, you will give me grey hair."
"It's my job," joked Jack cheerfully before leaving.
"I gather that means no laptop."
"That's the trade-off Sam."
"All right and say hello to Daniel for me."
"I will sweetie, now close your eyes."
-o-
The pounding in Dana's cranium grew louder and she opened her eyes in anguish. Gripping her head, she tried to focus her blurred vision. Nanoseconds later, she realised what had happened.
She remembered making it to the DHD, but by the four concrete walls that now surrounded her, she have been moved and the sun had risen. Dana guessed it was around eight o'clock local time.
As the pain eased off, she felt along her forehead and located the laceration that had caused the ache and flow of blood down her cheek. Frantically, she searched for her med kit. It was nowhere to be found and she cursed, "Shit!"
Squinting, Dana scanned the small room and was delighted to find her tool kit and torch beside a wooden door. She slumped back against the wall and attempted to fight her way out of the haze that was strangling her and doing battle with her thought process.
"Okay, you are obviously concussed, so don't fall asleep," she said to herself. "Still too weak from blood loss," she continued before spotting the toilet facilities in the darkened far corner.
Using the wall for support, Dana inched towards the surprisingly pristine sink and cistern. Sighing loudly, she reached for her belt buckle. "Shit, I'm naked," she concluded dizzyingly.
Ignoring that fact, she used the toilet then picked up the soap provided and scrupulously cleansed every inch of her body that wasn't covered in dressings. Dana reached down and saw her boots had been removed and her broken foot was grossly swollen. At the same time, she was relieved when her dog tags swung back and forth against her chest. Despite the pain, she smiled at the attached ring.
When she was done, Dana stood against the wall and allowed the soft breeze that was floating through a narrow slit to dry her frame. As her eyes closed, she thought the room looked like it was part of a barn structure.
Losing track of time, she was startled when the door suddenly opened to reveal an elderly, medium height, grey haired woman. She was carrying Dana's boots, underwear, vest and fatigues. On top of the clothing sat a towel.
"I apologise for your nakedness," said the woman. "But it is washing day and I had no spare robes when my people brought you here."
Dana grimaced in pain as she pushed off the wall, "It is fine and I am sorry for turning up on your world unannounced."
The older woman smiled, "You have no need. I am known as Landria and you are on my world Quadroon. You have nothing to fear, the Salsis soldier has been taken care of and I believe you were engaged in battle with him, hence your arrival here." Landria approached and handed Dana her clothes, "I am sorry our healer is away and cannot assist you."
"Thank you and my name is Dana Ridley," replied Dana as she dressed. "I am a healer, but my medicine bag is back at the Gate."
Going to the door, Landria yelled out, "BODIA, COME HERE PLEASE."
A small boy of about ten appeared, "Yes grandmother?"
Turning to Dana, Landria enquired, "Where is your bag?"
"In the tree line to the right of the Gate as you look at it from the road."
"Off you go Bodia, make haste now," instructed the woman. "Come Dana let us go into the house for nourishment." Returning to Dana's side, she helped the younger woman to walk, "You are in much pain?"
"Yes, I have medicine to help me ease it, but I was unsure of my safety and wanted to remain alert," explained Dana as she slowly passed by a field of vegetation and rows of solar panels. "You are farmers?"
"Yes, that is why the Salsis come here to trade for our fresh produce. In return they offer us protection from others who would cause us harm."
"Does that happen often?"
"No, the last time was some ten summers ago."
As the pair reached the back door of a white stucco house, Dana noted several people working in an adjacent field.
Landria's eyes followed the other woman's, "That is my son Waldran and his wife Morian. You will meet them when they break for the noon meal." Landria opened the door and ushered Dana inside.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, Dana pulled on her socks and boots. She yelped in pain as she slid her right foot into the shoe. Her foot was a series of black and purple bruises, so she left the boot unlaced.
Landria reached for another chair and offered, "Place your foot here. I will take off your shoe and covering so I can wrap it with ice."
Dana smiled in gratitude and welcomed the idea of numbing her appendage, "Thank you Landria and my homeworld is called Earth." She went on to explain how she ended up on Quadroon after the confrontation with the Salsis.
"Their leader Orrick is a brute of a man and is not to be trusted. We must get you strong again so you can return to your home."
"I'd like that."
Bodia rushed into the kitchen lugging Dana's kits. He was sweating profusely and out of breath. Placing the gear at Dana's feet, he smiled sweetly.
"Well done Bodia," declared Landria fondly. "You may have two treats on your way to school."
The boy's face let up, "Thank you grandmother." He went over to a counter and collected two cookies from a jar then picked up books and left.
Dana tittered softly, "He is a good boy."
"Yes and he brings me much joy."
Landria prepared a meal of fresh fruit, toast and fruit conserve.
Dana ate slowly and savoured every delightful morsel. When she was finished, she uncovered the cannula and injected more antibiotics.
Watching intently, Landria admitted, "When Bodia discovered you by the Gate, he thought you were trying to fix it."
"I was," confessed Dana before taking a drink of juice.
"It has not worked for two summers. Not since Orrick destroyed the stand. This action angered my people and made us distrust him more."
"Do your people use the Gate for travel?"
"No, we do not understand its workings, but others have passed through and been helpful."
"How often to the Salsis utilise it?"
"Once every marking of our calendar."
Dana took a chance in her assumption, "So every twenty eight moons?"
"Yes," confirmed Landria as she wrapped a cloth containing ice around Dana's foot. "But Orrick has lost many men. The trips used to be more often before last summer and they no longer stay to trade."
The two women discussed Earth for a while before Dana grew tired.
"Come," prompted Landria. "You must rest and as I have much work to attend to. You are welcome to use my sleeping room."
"Thank you, but I'll be fine in your barn."
Landria grinned, "It is a long way to walk Dana."
Realising the truth in the statement, Dana consented, "All right and thank you."
-o-
Sam put down her spoon and pushed the half eaten bowl of blue jello to the side of the table. "I'm full," she declared.
"You did well Sam," acknowledged Carolyn with a satisfied grin.
"Well the sooner I recover the sooner I get back to working on a solution."
"Daniel and Siler have been on P8X-991 all day trying to rewire the DHD."
Sam's blonde brows rose, "They have?"
"Yes, so don't think for one moment that nothing is being done."
"I didn't and I know how much everyone cares for Dana."
Carolyn rolled the table out of the way, "That's very true and now it's time you had some sleep."
Sam's eyes rolled back in feigned horror, "Yes mom."
"Don't be smart with me Sam," chided Carolyn with a chuckle.
An expression of panic raced across Sam's face and the doctor asked, "What is it?"
"Dana and I are supposed to be getting married. What if we can't find her?"
"You and the others will find her or she will make her way back to you. You and Dana will have a beautiful wedding."
Sam burst into tears and wailed, "Oh dear god, I miss her so much."
Carolyn pulled the blonde into a tight embrace and comforted her until exhaustion took over.
-o-
After greeting Waldran and Morian, Dana was bombarded with questions. In exchange she learnt about the peaceful Quadroon race. Their technology was equivalent to Earth's when electricity was first invented, although Quadroon's power was generated by solar rather than fuel. The conversation kept her mind off her longing for Sam and the physical pain.
Later that night, Dana gave herself a dose of morphine after making her way to the barn and allowed herself six hours of undisturbed sleep.
When she awoke there was a walking cane propped up against her kit. Dana quickly attended to her ablutions then hobbled to the farm house and was greeted by Landria.
"I see you have made good use of the walker?"
"Yes thank you. Is there something I can help with?"
"You may take a seat at the table and I will have you cut up the fruit."
"You have a deal."
Landria smiled and placed a bowl, knife and various fruits on the table, "Waldran will take you to the Gate after you have eaten."
"I appreciate that Landria."
"You must be anxious to return to your family?"
A tear welled in the corner of Dana's left eye, "Very much so, I miss them?"
"Will they not come seeking you?"
"Yes they will, but I hope to arrive home before then."
"We shall keep our eyes on the Gate and wait in case that does not occur. We will tell them of your whereabouts."
An hour later, Bodia sat between his father and Dana on the wagon seat. He chattered about school and his friends as the journey passed. It was still early morning when Waldran helped Dana down and onto the ground.
"I must leave you here now Dana. I require a trip into town for supplies. Morian will bring you a noon meal and I will fetch you after work."
"Thank you Waldran. Have a good day, you too Bodia."
Once father and son departed, Dana set to work. Methodically, she stripped the fused wires and reattached them. At noon, Morian spent an enjoyable meal of sandwiches with her before returning to the farm.
As Dana's degree of pain elevated, she took the time to rest and was surprised when woken by Bodia later that afternoon.
"Hello sleepy," he said when he located her against the tree she'd used two days previously.
"Hey, how was school?" Dana enquired while standing.
"It was enjoyable. Did you fix the Gate?"
"I believe so; I just need to test it."
"Can I watch?'
"Of course you can," replied Dana as the pair slowly made their way to the Gate. She looked to Waldran standing beside the horse drawn carriage. "Hello."
"I hope you are well."
"I didn't realise I was so tired."
Waldran smiled, "You have been through much. Is the Gate repaired?"
"I am hopeful and there is only one way to find out."
Tapping his son on the shoulder, Waldran instructed, "Bodia, go fetch your grandmother and mother."
Jumping up onto the wagon, Bodia eased the dark horse into a canter.
"There is a book in our library that tells the story of the Gate," stated Waldran. "But no one had the knowledge to repair it until you."
Dana's brows arched, "I know you are a peaceful people and as such, it is up to you whether you embrace travel through the Gate or not."
"From the tales you have told us, it can be both advantageous or a great disappointment."
"It can be and it all depends on who or what you find on the other side."
"Ahh that is a discussion best left for those more intelligent than me. Our elders will return in four moons time and it will be for them to decide."
Dana made a few adjustments to the DHD then replaced the control cover, "It's a big choice Waldran and maybe your people would like to trade with mine?"
"I will pass that on to Katcha, our leader. What will you do if the Gate does not work?"
Dama smirked, "Come up with a plan B."
Waldran chuckled, "You are a funny person."
"I've been told that before."
They both turned when they heard the wagon approach.
Landria alighted from the carriage carrying Dana's kits, "If you are successful, I thought you would want to leave."
Dana painfully raised her arms and took the gear. Putting it down beside the DHD, she addressed the older woman, "Thank you Landria and you are correct." She pressed in the first glyph address for Earth and smiled when the crystal glowed into life, "So far, so good."
"Wow!" exclaimed the others in awe as the Gate spun into action.
Dana held her breath as she continued to punch in the sequence. To her dismay, the seventh chevron failed to lock in. "Shit," she mumbled.
Knowing she didn't have any wire left for a rewire, she decided to use a different glyph in the hopes wherever she landed she would be able to dial back to the SGC from there.
"It does not work?" queried Landria.
"It does, but for some reason I can't dial home." Dana quickly wrote down the address she was using on a piece of notepaper and handed it to the Landria, "If people who are dressed like me come through the Gate, give them that and tell them what happened and that I'm on my way home."
Smiling pleasantly, Landria promised, "I will do this for you Dana."
Dana keyed in the last chevron and waited for the familiar gush of blue to settle, "I'll not forget your hospitality or you. I hope to visit you again someday, take care." She hugged them all before gritting her teeth against the agony invading her body. Tossing on her two kits, she then climbed the three stairs gingerly.
"Safe travel Dana," offered Landria with a wave.
Stepping into the shimmering pool, Dana took a deep breath.
-o-
"Report Colonel," said George as he welcomed SG-1 home.
"Sir, I'm happy to report rewiring has been completed," answered a grinning Sam. "All we require is a power crystal."
George returned her smile, "Well it's lucky we have several in storage."
"Yes sir. Permission to return to P8X-991 A-SAP General."
"Colonel, I know you are anxious, but you are not 100% fit yet, so I ask you to take two hours to rest and eat."
"Yes sir."
All prepared to argue the point, George was staggered by Sam's consent, "Yes, well done SG-1, dismissed."
Sam deposited her weapons and tool kit before attending the Infirmary to speak with Janet.
Afterwards she had a meal with Daniel and Teal'c in the Commissary then collected a crystal from the storage level.
Jack joined her in the Control Room six minutes later, "Hey Carter, you did a great job."
"Thank you sir."
"SG-6, SG-7 and SG-3 will be tagging along for the ride."
"Good to know sir."
Leaning in, Jack asked, "Does Cassie and Reese know what's going on?"
"No sir, I didn't want to ruin their honeymoon."
"Do you think that was a wise decision?"
"No I don't, but hopefully Brigadier Ridley will be home soon."
Jack placed a comporting hand on Sam's left shoulder, mindful of her injury, "Sam, what if she isn't? The girls will want to here for you."
"I can't think about that possibility sir."
"All right, let's deal with things as they happen."
"Thank you sir."
It was sixteen minutes later when the four SG teams stepped through the Gate.
"So Carter," said Jack as he walked out of the Event Horizon. "How confident are you about this working?"
"I'm very confident sir."
The teams were silent while making the journey to the second Gate and meet up with SG-24.
Daniel assisted Sam with the DHD and grew impatient while Sam used her laptop to locate the last address dialled on the system.
"Patience Danny Boy," Jack reminded the doctor.
"Sorry O'Neill, I just want Dana home."
"We all do, but you aren't making it easy on Carter by jumping about and getting in her way. Let her do what she does best."
Twenty minutes dragged by before Sam declared, "Got it." She immediately started dialling up the address and Jack announced, "All right campers, we are going in blind, so stay alert."
Sam softly whispered, "Hold on my Dana, we're on the way."
-o-