Nemesis: Little Hero

Daniel quickly handed Ryan his backpack as the doorbell rang for the second time. He hurried the boy out of the kitchen and opened the door to see Jenny and her children smiling.

"Thank you Jenny, I'm so sorry about this. Of course when I get a few days off I get sick," Daniel gave her an exhausted smile. He looked miserable, with his hair sticking up in every direction and dressed in a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants.

"It's no problem," Jenny gave him a sympathetic look. "I hope you'll feel better."

"Oh I will, it's just a stomach bug," Daniel smiled back, gently pushing Ryan out the door. "Have a good day at school."

Once he was alone Daniel allowed his shoulders to slump slightly and sighed. Another wave of pain made him clutch his stomach and moan softly in pain. He collapsed backwards on the couch, gasping as the pain flared up at the movement and pulled a blanket over himself. He spent the majority of the day watching the History channel and attempting to eat but even thinking about food made him incredibly nauseous.

The pain had worsened throughout the day and he found himself vomiting more and more even though he had nothing in his stomach. By the time Ryan's school had let out his temperature had gone up another three degrees and the pain had worsened to the point when it was almost unbearable. Daniel slowly tried to get up to get the phone but the pain caused him to cry out and his legs to give out under him.

"Daddy!" Ryan called as he let himself into the apartment. "Daddy! I drew a picture!"

Ryan raced into the living room but froze when he saw his panting father holding himself up on the couch by his arms. Daniel's face was a sickly white and glistened with sweat.

"Daddy doesn't feel too good bud," Daniel groaned. He tried to stand again but the very movement caused his arms to collapse again and he slipped off the couch, yelping and curling his knees up.

Ryan jumped when he father fell and felt the paper slip out of his fingers. Remembering the time the fireman had visited his school and Uncle Jack's patient teachings, he ran into Daniel's bedroom and grabbed the phone off the side table. He pressed 911 and held the phone up to his ear.

"911, please state your emergency," A man's voice came through the phone.

"My daddy's hurt," Ryan replied, the shock beginning to ebb.

"Alright, where is he hurt?" The man continued.

"I don't know, but he can't walk," Ryan felt tears gathering in his eyes.

"How old are you kiddo?" The dispatcher asked kindly.

"Three," Ryan sniffed. "Can you come? He was sick and now he's hurt."

"Can you give the phone to your daddy?" The dispatcher asked, beginning to think this was a prank call from a curious child.

Ryan ran back into the living room and was pleased to see that Daniel had been able to push himself off the floor and was now laying on his back on the couch. He gave his son a strange look and shakily took the phone from him.

"Hello," His voice trembled. The 911 operator on the other end of the line surprised him. "I don't really know what is going on but I am in a lot of pain."

Daniel gave his son a shaky smile, trying not to scare him with how much pain he was in. He gave the operator his address before an incredible wave of pain made him drop the phone. Daniel tried to take deep breaths to lessen the pain but it had become almost constant. Ryan frowned and picked up the phone, bringing it to his ear.

"I can wait outside," Ryan said, stepping to the door. He turned to give his father a quick look before stepping out the door.

The archaeologist continued to lay on the couch, gasping sharply through the pain. Thankfully, the SGC had placed monitors on all phones just in case an emergency was called in, so the on base doctors would go to the hospital. They could not risk having an alien aliment rear its head in a unsuspecting hospital.

The phone instantly rang but was cut off by Ryan answering. His face brightened slightly as he relayed what happened to Janet. The archaeologist let out a soft moan as pain radiated from his stomach, watching his son talking to Janet and keeping an eye out for the EMS.

Ryan had jumped out into the hallway as soon as the uniformed men stepped onto their floor with a gurney. He waved them over and one of the men gave him a kind smile, stepping into the apartment. They instantly swarmed over to Daniel and began to check on him, placing an oxygen mask on his face.

"Hey there little guy," One of the EMT's smiled down at him. "We're going to be taking your dad to the hospital so that he can get some help. Do you know anyone who we can call to come take care of you?"

"My Uncle Jack," Ryan sniffled, feeling uncomfortable with all of the strangers around him.

"Jack O'Neill?" The EMT asked after scrolling through the caller ID, with Ryan's shaky nod he pressed talk.

"Mr. O'Neill, this is Owen Schwartz of the Colorado Springs Emergency Medical Services, it seems as though your brother has fallen ill and an ambulance was dispatched to his apartment. He is currently being taken to Memorial Hospital. I have his son here and although we have people to watch him, he is really shaken and needs someone he knows with him." Owen said, paused for a minute and then smiled down at the little boy. "Certainly sir, I'll call you if I can't get a hold of them."

Ryan stared up at this strange man, upset. He wanted his daddy to be all better and everything was moving so fast.

"Okay kiddo, I've got to go with your dad so I'm going to leave you with your neighbor until your uncle can come get you," Owen smiled reassuringly at the little boy.

Ryan felt confused and scared as the man led him next door to the Adamson's apartment. Owen explained what had happened but the little boy was not paying attention, instead watching his father get wheeled down the hall to the elevator.

"Come on sweetie," Jenny took Ryan's hand and pulled the distraught child into the apartment.

Jack arrived a few minutes later, out of breath. His jacket had been hastily pulled on and the pocket was sticking out on one side.

"Thanks so much," He gave Jenny a swift smile, picking up Ryan. "I really appreciate it!"

"I'm just doing my neighborly duty," Jenny nodded, looking worried. "Go make sure Daniel's okay and bring him back soon."

"Will do," Jack smiled at her before hurrying down the hallway to the elevator.

"You know Ryan, your dad has come back from the bring of death and well...death several times. I wouldn't worry, he'll bounce back," Jack rubbed the little boy's back and put him into the backseat of his truck.

"His appendix?" Jack asked, raising his eyebrow. "We have been stressing out for a good couple of hours thinking he was almost dead when it was just his appendix?"

"Colonel," Janet fixed him with a stern glare. "His appendix actually ruptured. This caused internal bleeding and we're really lucky he called when he did because we were able to avoid sepsis."

"Ah, that would have been embarrassing to tell our allies. 'Where's Dr. Jackson,' 'Well, one of his organs exploded,'" Jack joked but his smiled faded with the shocked looks from both Sam and Janet.

"Yes, well, we're going to move him to the SGC as soon as he's out of surgery and stable," Janet rubbed her forehead. "But he's going to be okay."

"Not surprising," Jack laughed. "I swear that man has more lives than a cat. I need to take Ryan somewhere, he's getting all fidgety."

"Where are you going to take him sir?" Sam asked, looking at the obviously bored three-year old.

"Well, I have to get a haircut," Jack shrugged, getting twin eye rolls from Janet and Sam.

"Hey you," Jack stepped into the infirmary where Daniel had been sleeping. "How do you feel?"

"Kind of like I got hit by a truck and then they backed up to hit me again," Daniel mumbled, voice cracking. "But I feel a lot better than I did. It's almost funny that something completely normal and human caused more pain than any Gou'ald device so far."

"Only you Daniel. How did you get into your bedroom to get the phone?" The colonel plopped down into one of the hard plastic chairs. He noticed Daniel's annoyed look at being woken up but ignored it.

"I didn't," Daniel frowned, trying to remember through the haze of pain. "I had enough trouble getting back onto the couch."

Then both Daniel and Jack froze, eyes widening.

"Ryan called! He went into my room and called 911, even talking to them," Daniel grinned.

"Smart boy," The colonel laughed. "Jesus Danny, your kid saved your life!"

Daniel's smile widened and he felt an intense rush of pride for his son. He fiddled with his sheets and pushed up his glasses. Ryan, even at such a young age, had shown tremendous courage and intelligence.

"Hey, can I see your scar?" Jack asked, out of the blue.

"No."