When Colonel O'Neill was ordered to General Hammond's office, Teal'c headed back to the infirmary. He had not forgotten his promise to protect Jonas Quinn, and until the person responsible for the poisoned candy was found, Teal'c intended to keep that promise.

For the most part that had meant hounding the security officers in charge of the investigation. But now with the Kelownan back from his mission off-world, Teal'c intended to be a personal bodyguard until the around-the-clock security rotation could be re-instated.

Entering the infirmary, Teal'c found Jonas in bed staring somewhat dejectedly at the mug of tea he held in his hand. "Jonas Quinn."

"Hello Teal'c," Jonas smiled at the tall Jaffa.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Oh… no, not really." Grimacing, Jonas put the tea mug on a bedside table. "Doctor Frasier wants me to drink a lot to keep hydrated, but everything just seems to go right through me, you know?"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Doctor Frasier would only recommend such a course if she believed it would be beneficial."

With a sigh, the Kelownan picked up the mug and took a swallow before returning it to the table. "Did you need something, Teal'c?"

Jonas had a look of polite attention. Teal'c was gaining experience in reading the Kelownan's moods, and he realized that the man really just wanted to rest, but would never admit it. "No, Jonas Quinn. I am here to guard you until a security rotation can be determined."

"Oh." A frown flickered across the Kelownan's face, and his hand unconsciously went to the healing scar on his throat. "You know, I've been thinking about that, and I've come to the conclusion that it probably wasn't what it seemed. Some of the guys have pulled some practical jokes, because I'm uh, new." Jonas was unable to hold Teal'c gaze as he said this, giving the Jaffa the impression that he was for some reason ashamed. "And I'll bet this was just another joke. Whoever did it probably just didn't realize how dangerous it was."

"Do you doubt Doctor Frasier's belief that the perpetrator intended to harm you?"

Jonas was quick to deny that. "No, I don't doubt Doctor Frasier at all. I'm just not convinced there was malicious intent."

Teal'c considered this for a moment, then said quietly, "It is difficult to accept that another might wish you dead."

Jonas shrugged, but before he could reply, he suddenly paled, and with a groan said, "Uh, I'll be back in a minute."

Teal'c watched as the man hurried to the nearby bathroom. No sooner had the Kelownan disappeared, than Colonel O'Neill came striding in. He stopped short when he found the Jaffa standing calmly at the foot of the now empty bed. "T, whatcha doing here?"

"Until a guard rotation can be re-instated, I intend to protect Jonas Quinn myself."

"Right. Good thinking. I'll get the guards set up today."

Teal'c inclined his head in agreement, then said, "Jonas Quinn does not believe whoever poisoned the candy had a malicious intent, O'Neill."

"What? Don't tell me, let me guess… he thinks that's we how celebrate Valentine's Day." O'Neill said with deadly sarcasm.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. He had grown to understand the concept of sarcasm, but he still was uncomfortable with any reply other than the simple truth. "I believe he feels it was a practical joke, and the perpetrator did not realize the danger."

O'Neill shook his head. "It was no joke, Teal'c. Frasier told General Hammond that you can't just get that kind of bee stuff off the internet. Somebody had to distill it to get it that strong. She said it would have taken a lab and a couple of weeks to do it. That's not something you do just to get a laugh."

"I will not cease my vigilance."

O'Neill nodded. "Well, maybe you should leave now, then, because I'm going to kill him."

Knowing full well that the colonel did not mean it literally, Teal'c nonetheless said, "If that is your intention, then I shall not leave. I do not take vows of protection lightly, O'Neill."

O'Neill rolled his eyes, then both men turned to watch the subject of their discussion return from the bathroom, looking pale and a bit shaky. As he climbed back into bed Jonas acknowledged O'Neill shortly. "Colonel."

"We're going to have that talk now, Jonas."

"Not just yet, Colonel." Dr. Frasier swept up, bearing a paper cup with a pale liquid. She handed the cup to the Kelownan with a curt command, "Drink."

Jonas wrinkled his nose but obediently downed the liquid. With a nod, Janet asked him, "How are you doing?"

"Better. That last, um… it wasn't quite so… violent," he replied, waving a vague hand toward the bathroom.

Dr Frasier nodded taking Jonas' wrist to check his pulse. "Well, your bloodwork shows you're slightly anemic. Not enough to worry about, but I'll want you to watch what you eat for a while. You're drinking your tea, right?"

Jonas reached over and picked up his mug, and with a smile took a swallow. When he went to set the mug down, Dr. Frasier shook her head. "No, Jonas, I want you to drink it all. And I'll have Lt. Rush get you more."

Teal'c watched as the Kelownan reluctantly emptied the mug. Dr. Frasier also watched then she put her stethoscope to use, quietly commanding him to breathe in and out. She moved the stethoscope to his abdomen and listened there for a few moments. Finally nodding, she stood back. "Alright, Jonas, you're doing a lot better. We'll see how the next few hours go, then we'll talk about releasing you."

Turning to Colonel O'Neill, the doctor said, "He's all yours, Colonel. But not too long, he needs to rest."

The petite doctor swept away. O'Neill watched her go, then took a look around the infirmary, noting Dr. Sparkman was the only patient left, sleeping several beds away. With a short nod, he reached up and pulled the privacy curtain to cut off the view of the archeologist, then turned to Teal'c, and said simply, "Teal'c."

Teal'c caught a flutter of apprehension on Jonas Quinn's face, and he considered ignoring O'Neill's implicit command. He realized however that the colonel was determined, and he acquiesced with a slight nod. "I shall see Major Webster about the guard rotation."

Teal'c turned to leave, then paused and turned back saying, "Jonas Quinn, if Colonel O'Neill does indeed kill you, rest assured that I will avenge you."

The Jaffa left the room smiling internally, knowing he had left behind two looks of astonishment.