Jack pulled Sam outside. "What have you done for the whole locker thing?" Jack asked.
Daniel had fallen asleep again and Teal'c was watching him… sort of.
"I talked to General Hammond. We're keeping this low key. No one knows except you, me, Teal'c and the General. I have some ideas, but nothing for sure."
Jack motioned for her to continue. "Well. We could put a camera in the locker, but that only works if they open it. We could put a small electrical current through the locker so if anyone touches it they'll get shocked, but that would be anyone, not just our…" Sam seemed to draw blank for the word she was thinking of.
"Bad guy?" Jack supplied.
"Sure. We could put a chemical on the locker that could glow in ultraviolet light but it could, once again, be on anyone who is doing this. I am running out of ideas."
Jack stared over the side of his deck. "What about a camera else where?"
"Can't do that. It's against the law. You're not allowed to have cameras in bathrooms, dressing rooms, or locker rooms."
"We're talking about a friends life right now! I'll do it, I don't care!"
"Is it that critical, is Daniel still hanging on the edge there?"
Jack nodded sadly. He couldn't take much more of this.
"We could do that, s… Jack. You put it in. You can watch the video. Don't think for a second that I will watch it. I am not going to watch the male members of my workplace undressing. I can get it all hooked up for you. We'll catch this bastard."
Sam turned and smiled at Jack. Jack couldn't help but smile back.
"Thanks, Sam."
It was silent for a few minutes before either said anything. Then Jack turned to Sam. "We can't let Daniel loose his place on SG-1 permanently. He promised me he wouldn't hurt himself because he still had to find Sha're. We sure as Hell can't have him find Sha're if he isn't allowed off-world. He told me, that sometimes it just seems easier than dealing with all the shit thrown on his plate." Sam looked at Jack in astonishment.
"Well, not quite in those words."
"Still. Sir… Jack… I know this is against protocol, but I think it's best we don't tell General Hammond this. If he knows, he will have to report it and it will just look worse."
"I know, Sam. I know. That's why this stays between you, me and all the bats watching us in the sky."
Sam smiled weakly at his joke.
Jack jabbed a thumb towards the door. "Head back in?"
Daniel awoke to a dark house. The large Jaffa was still sitting in a chair near him, watching a movie, Lord of the Rings, I think, while the other two members of his were sound asleep on a couch next to the chair Daniel had usurped. Daniel started to rise.
"Daniel Jackson, are you well?" Teal'c's face never turned from the TV.
"Peachy." Spending too much time with Jack I see.
"I am almost finished with this succession of movies. Are you too departing to regain your strength?"
"Yes. I am sleeping most of the time now." Daniel said with a bit of regret. He hadn't touched his books since he'd gotten here. All he had done was sleep, cry and stare at the picture of Sha're.
"Indeed. If you require anything, I am here."
"Thanks, Teal'c, but I think I'm okay." I wish.
"Goodnight Daniel Jackson."
"'Night Teal'c."
Daniel went to the spare room. He had spent enough time here that he didn't need the light to know where everything was that he needed. He found the medicine canister without much difficulty. The dosage was one, but it wasn't doing anything so Daniel decided to take a second.
Sleep came before too long. Everything seemed grayish and all his memories became a haze. They didn't matter at all. There was nothing, nothing but gray.
Jack awoke as the morning light started to filter through the windows. Sam was sleep next to him and Teal'c was watching a movie. It appeared to be Star Wars. Daniel was nowhere to be seen.
"Whoa, Teal'c. Where's the little Spacemonkey run off too?"
"He is regaining his strength, resting in the room which resides behind us."
"Ah." Jack was actually surprised, for a couple of reasons. One, Daniel hadn't woken him up when he left, Which means I must have had a lot more beer than I thought I did. And two, Daniel hadn't woken him up with nightmares at all. Once again, I give credit to the beer. Jack winced. Yep, definitely the beer. His head was throbbing.
Jack rolled out of the couch he'd been sharing with Carter all night (on separate ends). Not going to be a good day if this doesn't pass soon.
"Are you not well, Colonel O'Neill?"
"Peachy."
Teal'c turned his head, if not his eyes, with a raise eyebrow towards Jack. "What?" Jack asked, a little sharply.
"It is nothing. Daniel Jackson responded in the same manner earlier this morning when he left."
Jack nodded his head. "Okaayyy," he dragged the word out. "I'm gong to go check on Daniel." It didn't matter that Jack had said a word, for Teal'c's attention was already on the TV again.
Jack slipped back to Daniel's bedroom door. He was lying still on his bed, picture of Sha're in hand. It touched Jack how even after she was taken, Daniel had remained so loyal to his wife. Granted it hadn't been too long, but Jack had left his wife after he exited his boozed over state from when their little boy Charlie had shot himself. A brief moment of grief touched Jack.
Then he turned away from his memories and back to the present. Daniel was still absolutely still in his bed. It almost bothered Jack because he couldn't remember ever seeing the archeologist sleep so still. The pills were next to Daniel's bed, the cap still open. It was probably just the pill he took. Then Jack remembered that Daniel had taken a pill the day before and he had still tossed restlessly.
Jack rushed through the door, praying the noise would wake Daniel up.
Daniel was still sleeping soundly.
A check of his vitals said he was still alive and the pulse was strong.
Daniel cracked an eye open. He blinked as if trying to decide if the Jack sitting on the bed next to him was real or not. "God! You gave me a scare!"
Daniel looked confused. "You weren't moving. You always move, Daniel."
Daniel pulled his hand from Sha're's photo and rubbed his eyes. Then he reached out for his glasses. "I took two pills because one wasn't cutting it."
"Tell me next time!" Jack growled.
"You were asleep! I didn't want to wake you again, like every other night the last week!" Daniel protested. His eyes pleaded. Trust me, they said.
"I know. I… I just can't help but worry. See what you're doing to me Daniel! I'm turning into a mom!" Daniel smiled feebly, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Daniel looked back at the picture of Sha're. "She used to always worry about me. Make sure I ate and drank all the time, especially when I was sucked into work."
"Work? What could you possible work on in Abydos? Everyone would work for you if you asked them too."
"I'd go crazy! I couldn't possible do nothing for a year! Anyways, there were tons of things to translate! It was like living in Ancient Egypt!" Daniel sat up, getting very animated in his memories..
"Daniel. Remember, I was there."
Daniel was pulled from his reverie. "I was so happy there. I wish I'd never unburied the gate. I shouldn't have. Then Sha're would still be here and Skaa'ra. Jack, that was all my fault, I made that decision." Daniel looked down at his hands. Jack wasn't sure where all this shame was coming from. It was like Daniel was getting hit from all sides with guilt he didn't even deserve.
"Daniel. You didn't know what was going to happen. If you hadn't done that, I never would have seen you again, Sam wouldn't have ever gone off world and Teal'c would still be first prime to Apophis. You have touched so many lives since the beginning of the Stargate Program, more than you would ever guess. Would you sacrifice all those people?"
Daniel looked away, but Jack knew the answer. Daniel was too selfless to say yes.
"You are important to all the people here. We need you." Jack was almost pleading for Daniel to listen to him, because Daniel had a somewhat glazed look over his eyes.
"Come on, Daniel. We have breakfast to make, and if I don't get something in my stomach soon, it won't be pretty. Next time, don't let me drink so much."
Daniel blinked his eyes, pulling away from his thoughts. "I don't think I could stop you if I tried. Anyways, I'll just fall asleep."
Jack smiled. Daniel was on an upswing. Now if only Jack could keep him there.
All of SG-1 sat around Jack's kitchen table. Sam had been the one who ended up making breakfast, because she was the only one who could make pancakes. Jack helped Sam find the utensils and food that she needed and attempted to direct her, until she shooed him away. Teal'c had to be dragged away from the epic Star Wars movies. Daniel had gone back to being silent and stuck in memories.
Soon, how flapjacks were laying on the table with three hungry people and one submissive one eating.
"Sam, these are delicious!" Jack said with a mouthful. It still seems so weird calling Carter 'Sam'. I can't get used to it. It's like a different language, which is probably why it doesn't bother Daniel at all.
Jack glanced over at the compliant Dr. He was pushing a chunk of pancake around in syrup. "Put it in your mouth, Daniel. Food is usually better when you eat it."
Daniel looked meekly from his plate.
Jack looked at the face. It was pale still, but not as pale as before. It was drawn and tight, but not nearly as bad as it had been. The eyes still looked lost though, like a puppy separated from its mother. We'll get you there. Some way. Some how.
Not one of my best chapters, but a long one. Sorry for the wait, I got stuck sanding for my dad. Ick. I promise to get another one up ASAP. Thanks for the support, and remember, review!!!