Teal'c stepped out of the emergency entrance of the hospital. The morning sun, approaching the apex of its travel, shone brightly into his eyes. His gaze arced across the small plot tended outside, a small stretch of grass broken up by a couple trees. It took him no time to see Jack standing on the cedar chips around one of the trees, leaning against the rough bark. The large man quickly crossed the distance, a grace in his stride that few of his size could claim.

Olivia had come to him, worried. She had described how she was woken up by a noise. Sam had been once again unconscious, and when she noticed Jack standing in the doorway his look had been difficult to gauge. He had taken off as she started to ask what had happened, and the suddenness of his departure had caused her much concern.

I don't think that he'd really want to talk to me. Plus, I'm still pretty much a stranger to you guys. Teal'c recalled the pain in her eyes as she had spoken. He had quickly assured Olivia that he would make sure that Jack was well.

"You are troubled, O'Neill," Teal'c said. Even without Olivia's description, his brow was knitted in an expression of deep contemplation.

"I'm fine, T."

He let the silence carry his disbelief. After several moments, Jack let out a weary sigh.

"Olivia Benson was most concerned when you left so abruptly."

"Yeah," Jack said quietly. The syllable was laden with guilt. Teal'c was content to let the silence hang until Jack continued. It lingered for some time before Jack turned his head to look at Teal'c. "I just needed to get out of there, you know?"

Teal'c gave a small nod of understanding. It was difficult on them all.

"Carter'll really kick my ass when she hears what I did, huh?" Jack laughed weakly at his own words. Despite this, Teal'c knew he spoke with complete sincerity. He didn't need elaboration to know that Jack referred to the way he had spoken to Olivia back at the motel.

"This is indeed a situation where rank will not save you, O'Neill."

"When has it really?"

Teal'c's head cocked to the side slightly, acceding the point. Sam had certainly never been afraid to let him know when he was in the wrong before, stretching the lines of rank to their absolute limit until they were nothing more than a threadbare barrier between them, affording only the mere illusion of protection. Even Teal'c wasn't sure how she was able to manage this feat so effortlessly.

Jack looked away at the nearby traffic. "I shouldn't have done it."

"Your actions were understandable," Teal'c replied in a neutral tone. But understanding them did not mean condoning them. His tone made that perfectly clear.

"No excuse," Jack said.

"It is not," Teal'c agreed.

"I didn't mean any of it. Not really."

Teal'c nodded, knowing the other man could see the gesture in the corner of his eye. "I am aware of this. However, I am not the one who needs to hear these words."

"Yeah." Jack sighed yet again. "I know."