AN-I finally got around to writing some of this. I do have other WIP going on at present, so keep an eye out for some new stuff hopefully coming soon, muse permitting of course.
Jack and Teal'c were walking slowly towards the gate. Teal'c was slightly in front, scanning the grass and surrounding areas for signs of movement. He was following the footfalls of what he knew to be his teammates due to the caterpillar tracks from the cart. When they reached the edge of the treeline Teal'c stopped and held his hand up for Jack to stop. He never exited the treeline, but stayed on its edge, his head turning from side to side as he scanned the ground before him.
"O'Neill, there was a struggle of some description. Many sets of footprints lead up to the tree line but only two sets enter. Follow me." Teal'c turning to his left and strode off in the direction the two sets of footprints led off in.
Jack followed behind, his eyes darting around looking to see if he could see what Teal'c was following. He could make out snapped twigs, crushed leaves and moss, and trampled grass from people walking.
"T, how can you be sure we are on the right track? These could be from when we walked around the other day." Watching Teal'c drop to his knees as he shifted some disturbed ground.
"These are fresh, there is blood here as well." Lifting his fingers off the ground and razing them to show Jack he red liquid on two of his finger tips.
"Shit, I knew it. I knew she was hiding something. So one of them is injured, any idea how bad?" Asking the only thing he could think of asking as his brain shifted over the brief conversation on the radio.
"Yes, one is injured. There is blood but only a small amount. Whichever is wounded has either been treated quickly or the injury is not serious. I would guess the later." Standing back up and wiping the blood spots on his pants before moving off again in a new direction.
They continued on for fifteen minutes when Teal'c stopped again and bent down.
"They stopped here, used these rocks as a resting point." Picking up some crushed moss and broken twigs. One of them appears to be limping, maybe an injury causing them to walk linked together." Pointing to three defined footprints in some wet mud.
"The footsteps are the same size, no way to tell who is injured. Damn Sam for having the same size feet as Daniel. Okay Teal'c, lead on." Gesturing for Teal'c to use his tracker skills to find their missing teammates.
Teal'c tracked the footsteps to the bush and then stopped looking around. Jack stood watching him, not knowing what he was following. He could make out the obvious signs of people and movement but Teal'c, Teal'c had a gift for following nearly nothing. Teal'c picked up the trail quickly and pointed in the direction the footsteps led.
"I believe we are not far behind now, they are heading back to the ruins but are slightly off course. If we quicken the pace we can catch them up in less than twenty minutes at the pace and speed they are going and the ground they are covering." Turning and heading in the direction of the ruins and Sam and Daniel.
Sam was leaning more on Daniel with each passing minute, between her headache and ankle she was starting to feel sick with the pain.
"Daniel, I need to stop, preferably before I throw up." Coming to an abrupt stop and turning away from Daniel slightly as her stomach rolled and she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Okay then." Feeling Sam tense against his side.
Daniel kept a hold of Sam until he felt her relax a little, he was sure she was fighting the urge to empty her stomach all over. She let Daniel guide her to a clear patch of grass and eased her down to sitting. When she was sitting she opened her eyes and watched as Daniel dug around in his tac vest, pulling something out with a triumphant yes. Next thing Sam saw was two small capsules and her canteen in front of her. Looking at Daniel, all she could do was give him a weak smile as she took the pain meds, swallowing them down with remaining water in her canteen. Placing the canteen on the floor, she closed her eyes as the pain in her head eased at the lack of light seeping in the eyelids. She felt Daniel shuffle closer as he eased his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against his side. Sam went willing, her head resting on his shoulder. She could have quite happily fallen asleep if it wasn't for her many years of training in the Air Force.
Her senses came alive and she sat up quickly, her head spinning and her stomach heaving at the sudden movement. Daniel moved to, his hand coming to rest on his Zat gun.
"Sam, what is it?" Looking at Sam, then trying to filter out the sound of breathing from both Sam and himself.
"Movement, there." Pointing through the dense trees that were starting to grow dark in the fading light.
Daniel looked in the direction Sam pointed and drew his Zat when he heard the distant sound of a twig snap. He pulled out his handgun with his other hand, watching out the corner of his eye as Sam brought her P-90 level. They definitely did not need trouble now, especially the state Sam was in. They both watched and listened as the sound of movement drew closer, trees and bushes rustling as people brushed past them. It was Daniel who caught sight of a person first, clicking his Zat open and aiming in the direction the person was coming from.
"Do not shoot," Teal'c called out, hearing the distinct sound of a Zat being opened.
"Teal'c, thank god. We thought you were whoever chased us earlier. Is Jack with you?" Finishing his sentence just as he saw Jack burst out the tree line running towards them.
"He is indeed, Daniel Jackson." His eyebrow raised as he watched Jack rush across the small clearing and drop down in front of Daniel and Sam.
"Let me see." Using his hand to raise Sam's chin and tilt her head so he could see the side of her face. "Daniel, what the hell happened? And did you just say people who came after you earlier?" His hand still resting under Sam's chin, his thumb stroking her jaw.
"Yes Jack, I did. How about we get back to the ruins and we can discuss this over coffee and ice packs." Looking between Jack, Sam and then Teal'c.
"Right, Which one of you is limping?" Looking between Daniel and Sam and then looking down to their feet.
"That would be me," Sam answered, using her good foot to push herself to sit up fully again.
"Of course it would be." The sarcasm dripping from Jack's voice as he glared at Daniel.
"It wasn't my fault, we were being chased and she lost her footing." Daniel shot back, knowing full well Jack was blaming him for Sam's injuries.
"It wasn't his fault, I wasn't watching the terrain and stumbled." Feeling Jack slide his arm around her waist in preparation for standing up.
Jack didn't answer, his concentration was focused on getting Sam stood up and back to camp so he could assess for himself how badly injured she was.
"On the count of three, one, two, three." Using his body as a lift to get Sam standing up.
Sam felt Jack using his full body as a crutch to push her up to standing. She was too tired to point out his knees wouldn't thank him for it later. When she was fully stood, she had to screw her eyes shut as another wave of dizziness and sickness took hold. Instead of turning away from Jack like she had done with Daniel, she turned into him, her body resting against his as she buried her face in his neck. She took deep, steadying breaths, drawing in the smell that was uniquely Jack. She let the warm, musky smell, and the arm he had securely slung around her waist ground her. When the urge to pass out and throw up passed, she pushed away from Jack, her good leg taking her full weight. Looking up at Jack she saw the worry and concern on his face.
"I'm okay, just my body saying I need to stop and take stock of my scratches and scrapes." Smiling even though she didn't feel like it.
"You sure you can walk? Teal'c makes a great stretcher." Trying to get her to smile as Teal'c stepped forward and bowed his head at them both.
"I can manage." Standing tall and looking between all three of her boys.
"If you insist, but if I think you're done, Teal'c will carry you." His tone not giving room for any negotiation.
Teal'c looked between his comrades and turned, walking away as he scanned the trees and the route back to camp. Daniel was about to follow behind but stopped.
"You two take the centre, Teal'c and I will cover you." Watching as Jack took nearly all of Sam's weight as they stepped forward.
"I knew I'd make a solider of you at some point space monkey." Smiling at Daniel as they passed him.
Daniel just shook his head and rolled his eyes, he was not in the mood for a debate about the military and tactics. So what, he had picked up some military knowledge, who wouldn't, after all, they had seen and down over the years. Waiting until they were a safe distance ahead, he set off behind them, turning once to check behind him.
